Latest news with #LauraWest
Sydney Morning Herald
9 hours ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘A missed opportunity': West Australians react to the state budget
Every line item in Labor's ninth consecutive budget handed down on Thursday will have a real impact on West Australians. The reactions to those items have been steadily flowing in, in the aftermath of the budget's release on Thursday afternoon, and while some are happy with the results others are furious. Laura West, 44, is living on a carer's pension as she looks after her 11-year-old daughter with complex health issues full-time. 'We've ended up with another big billion-dollar surplus, and it's actually quite devastating for families like mine, who could be helped by redirecting that money to provide some assistance,' she said. 'I scrimp and save as much as I can to meet our needs ... but it's a real struggle. Families like ours who are vulnerable and depended on an income support payment – our standard of living is decreasing. 'I feel like the cost of living crisis is increasing, and we are a wealthy state. That should not be the case.' Casey Pateman, 39, is also struggling with the cost of living. She used to work in Kalgoorlie in the mining industry until she decided to move to Perth five years ago, and that was when things changed. As cost of living went up, Pateman became homeless and was living out of her car with her children.
The Age
9 hours ago
- Business
- The Age
‘A missed opportunity': West Australians react to the state budget
Every line item in Labor's ninth consecutive budget handed down on Thursday will have a real impact on West Australians. The reactions to those items have been steadily flowing in, in the aftermath of the budget's release on Thursday afternoon, and while some are happy with the results others are furious. Laura West, 44, is living on a carer's pension as she looks after her 11-year-old daughter with complex health issues full-time. 'We've ended up with another big billion-dollar surplus, and it's actually quite devastating for families like mine, who could be helped by redirecting that money to provide some assistance,' she said. 'I scrimp and save as much as I can to meet our needs ... but it's a real struggle. Families like ours who are vulnerable and depended on an income support payment – our standard of living is decreasing. 'I feel like the cost of living crisis is increasing, and we are a wealthy state. That should not be the case.' Casey Pateman, 39, is also struggling with the cost of living. She used to work in Kalgoorlie in the mining industry until she decided to move to Perth five years ago, and that was when things changed. As cost of living went up, Pateman became homeless and was living out of her car with her children.
