Anthony Albanese announces a housing and infrastructure funding package at a press conference in Kununurra, wearing a white shirt and broad-brimmed hat.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled a $200 million housing and infrastructure funding package aimed at addressing the housing crisis in regional Western Australia. Speaking in Kununurra this morning, Mr. Albanese said the plan would “unlock” land for housing developments across Karratha, Albany, and the Wheatbelt, potentially delivering over 1,000 new homes.
The funding is set to support essential infrastructure such as power and water, with $22 million allocated for Karratha, $32.8 million for the Wheatbelt, and $14.2 million for Albany. Albanese emphasized the government’s commitment to fostering growth beyond Perth, stating, “We want to make sure we drive growth across regional WA.”
While the announcement has been cautiously welcomed by community and industry leaders, there is skepticism about whether the funds will address housing shortages quickly enough. The housing shortage has been a critical factor affecting regional WA, with both private businesses and government services struggling to house essential workers.
This initiative forms a key part of the prime minister’s election pitch, as he seeks to address the social and economic challenges linked to the housing crisis in WA’s regional communities.