Western Australia prepares 2026‑27 budget with record surplus and major spending

Western Australia is set to deliver its 2026‑27 budget on Thursday, marking the tenth consecutive Labor budget and the eighth straight operating surplus. Treasury estimates revenue could rise to about $47.4 billion, driven by iron‑ore prices averaging over US$100 per tonne and bolstered by the state’s GST arrangement.

Treasurer Rita Saffioti has outlined new spending for schools, hospitals, clean‑energy projects, housing construction and stamp‑duty concessions, together with a "targeted cost‑of‑living relief" package. The state's net debt stands at $34 billion, roughly 7.5 % of gross state product, far lower than other Australian jurisdictions.

Opposition leader Basil Zempilas is urging a 20 % cut to stamp duty to improve housing affordability, while the WA Chamber of Commerce calls for faster environmental approvals and stresses the importance of retaining the GST floor that underpins the state’s fiscal stability.