The Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS) has highlighted targeted cost of living relief, rent reform and sustainable funding for community services are some of its key asks of the next State Government, in the lead-up to the 2025 election.
WACOSS’ Make WA Fair: Leaving No One Behind Report, released at a launch event overnight, outlines key targeted asks of the next State Government that, if enacted, would make Western Australia not just a great state, but a fair one too.
As the cost of living continues to rise, too many Western Australians are feeling significant pressure on their household budgets, and many are in financial crisis. WACOSS is seeking immediate and longstanding relief through programs that are delivered more fairly and more targeted to those that need it most.
After three years of high costs and low wage growth, Western Australians on low incomes have been left without financial reserves and are now missing out; on nutritious and regular meals, on safe and affordable housing, and on the opportunity to plan for the future.
This stark picture of the financial state many Western Australians find themselves in was reflected earlier this week by WACOSS, through new research which found nearly four out of ten in our community would need to seek financial assistance if faced with an unexpected $500 bill.
Reforms in this space would ensure that those in our community that have been hit hardest by cost of living pressures have improved access to fair and equitable financial assistance. As evidenced by the Cost of Living Survey Report, it’s what a majority of Western Australians want to see happen.
WACOSS is also calling on the next State Government to unlock access to more secure housing by abolishing no-reason evictions and implementing rent stabilisation measures.
In WA, tenants can be evicted without any reason or cause at any point during a periodic tenancy with just 60 days’ notice, and at the end of any fixed-term tenancy with just 30 days’ notice.
No-reason eviction is a persistent threat, preventing tenants from advocating for their rights and basic needs, and action is sorely needed to ensure WA renters have secure access to affordable homes.
The next State Government should also consider supporting children and families by implementing an expansion of universal access to early years education. WACOSS is calling for better access to community family health and support services through consolidation and expansion of Integrated Child and Family Hubs (hubs).
Integrated hubs are one of the most cost-effective ways of delivering services to the children and families that need them most. But, some families are missing out either due to a lack of operational resourcing for Child and Parent Centres, or because they don’t have a hub nearby.
There is a clear need to increase the number of hubs throughout WA, targeting areas most in need.
Lastly, WACOSS is seeking sustainable funding and a one-off catch-up injection, reflecting the historical underfunding of the sector that is vital to help Western Australians in need.
Demand has grown for many reasons in the past three years alone; the sector has seen a huge spike in population and the dual housing and cost of living crises are placing increased pressure on the community.
The sector is buckling under demand, and history has taught us that there will always be a need for support and assistance for some Western Australians. Without the uplift, service delivery will continue to be eroded and Western Australians in desperate need, now more than ever, will be left behind.
WACOSS Chief Executive Officer Louise Giolitto said ‘making WA fair’ meant creating a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, and nobody gets left behind.
“The State Government has made efforts on cost of living and we support that, but more needs to be done for those doing it toughest. It’s clear that some Western Australians need more assistance than others.
“We have a vision for Western Australia where the government helps its citizens and where the needs of communities are above politics. Making WA Fair means prioritising policies that address inequality, supporting those doing it tough, and creating pathways where everyone has the chance to succeed.
“I’d urge the State Government that now is the perfect time to end the funding insecurity for our sector. Help us to help people. WACOSS and its member organisations will be needed for a long time yet.
“All of these things are achievable. It’s a matter of choices. Western Australia is a great state, let’s make it a fair one too.”
The Make WA Fair: Leaving No One Behind Report, which encapsulates the key asks of the next State Government along with key recommendations for achieving these asks, can be found here.
