Category: Western Australia

Western Australia to Ease COVID-19 Public Health Measures

The Western Australian government will ease a raft of COVID-19 public health measures across the state from April 29, with the changes coming on the back of high vaccination rates across the state and lower than anticipated COVID-19 case numbers, as well as the stabilisation of hospital admissions. Masks will no longer be mandatory, except for…


Total Solar Eclipse Event in Western Australia Draws Major Investment

Western Australia (WA) will be the prime location in the world to view a total solar eclipse (TSE) due to take place a year from now, so the state government is investing $19.3 million to organise an event surrounding the rare occurrence. WA is expected to see a major increase in international and domestic visitors…


Bipartisan Support for Western Australia’s Renewable Hydrogen Hubs

Both the Australian federal government and opposition have backed two renewable hydrogen hubs in the state of Western Australia (WA) through a $140 million (US$103.6 million) funding commitment. The bipartisan federal support for the projects comes on the back of WA government’s $117.5 million investment in late 2021 to attract federal funding for renewable hydrogen hubs…


The Palmer Blitz: Should There Be Limits on Political Advertising in Australia?

Commentary In the 2019 election campaign, billionaire Clive Palmer spent around $80 million (US$60 million) on advertising, including ubiquitous billboards and television and radio ads to promote his United Australia Party (UAP). Although the UAP ran candidates in all 151 electorates, it only received a primary vote of 3.4 percent and failed to elect any…


Federal Investments Bring Certainty to Gas and Minerals: Australian Peak Body

The Australian mining, oil, and gas industry has welcome newly announced federal subsidies for fossil fuel and mineral projects worth hundreds of million dollars in Western Australia (WA). Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Deputy Chief Executive Damian Dwyer said that the new investments reflected the federal government’s recognition of the significance of gas in…


Government Partners With Universities to Secure Australia’s Mineral Supply Chains

Australia’s federal government has committed $50 million (US$36.7 million) to establishing a new business and research partnership with Curtin University in Western Australia (WA), one which will focus on the critical mineral supply chain. The project, which is the first under the government’s Trailblazer program, will see Curtin University collaborate with the University of Queensland…


$61.6 Million Combined Commitment to Mental Health in Western Australia

Australia’s federal and Western Australia (WA) state governments have pledged to invest $61.6 million (US$44.9 million) in mental health and suicide prevention services in the state over the next five years. As part of the agreement, the Commonwealth will put forward $35.1 million and the WA state government $26.5 million to expand mental health care…


Western Australia Ranked Most Attractive Place in World for Mining Investment

The Australian state of Western Australia (WA) has been ranked the top jurisdiction in the world for mining investment based on investment attractiveness, an annual survey has found. The resource-rich state moved up from the fourth place in 2020, pipping Saskatchewan, Canada (second) and Nevada, U.S.A. (third) in the Fraser Institute’s 2021 Annual Survey of…


Free Zoo and Movie Passes for Kids Who Get Vaccinated in School Holidays

To boost COVID-19 vaccination rates for the youngest Western Australians, the government is ‘taking it to the streets’ by offering free passes to the zoo or movies to each five to 11-year old who gets vaccinated during the school holidays. Pop-up clinics are also coming to 11 sites including Rockingham Shopping Centre, which is offering…


Western Australian Government Injects $6.5 million into State’s Space Program

The Western Australian (WA) government has committed $6.5 million (US$4.9 million) in the upcoming State Budget to further develop the state’s ambitious space program. WA Science Minister Roger Cook said in a release on Thursday that as part of “Diversify WA”, the McGowan government’s economic development framework, space is one of the nine sectors targeted….