One month on from the Federal Election, the campaign spin has given way to some hard-economic facts.

If you feel like your wages have stagnated in recent times, chances are you’re not imagining things.

Things have been tough for WA workers for years now. It’s been hard to find a job, but worryingly things haven’t been much better for those who have been employed.

Data from the Australia Bureau of Statistics released last month showed that WA workers experienced the slowest wage growth in the country in 2018, at an average of just 1.6 per cent. That’s less than the inflation rate, which was 1.8 per cent last year, which means WA workers were losing real wages. 

Our campaign is about keeping the State Government focused on jobs, as well as putting forward new ideas to create long term industries in areas like rail, tram and bus manufacturing and ship building.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union WA Branch (AMWU) has commended the McGowan State Government for its efforts in securing the contract to build ten of the Royal Australian Navy’s twelve new offshore patrol boats here in Western Australia.

At the election this Saturday, we have a choice. We can re-elect Colin Barnett and continue with the same mismanagement and lack of policies that delivered our current disastrous economic situation, or we can elect a McGowan Labor Government and choose the party offering a real plan for WA jobs.

With less than two weeks until the State Election, it’s time to take a hard look at what both sides of politics are offering voters. While we can only judge WA Labor on what they say they will do, we’ve had eight years of the Barnett Government in power and an extensive track record to judge their vision for the WA economy. 

Western Australia is one of the most energy-rich locations in the world. In addition to our abundant renewable energy resources, we are also home to some of the world’s biggest offshore natural gas reserves.

On Sunday it was revealed that Pauline Hanson has done a deal with Colin Barnett to exchange preferences at the upcoming election.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union has commended yesterday’s announcement by WA Labor to ensure participation of the local manufacturing sector in future rail car builds.

WA Labor announced a 15-year rolling (railcar) stock strategy yesterday as part of its $2.53 billion METRONET plan, with a commitment to achieve more than 50 per cent of manufacturing locally of the new railcars.