The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force data shows 76,400 Western Australians were looking for more hours of work in May 2026 – the highest number since November 2020 and an increase of 12,500 people since January this year.
The latest report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has confirmed Australia has experienced one of the sharpest declines in living standards anywhere in the developed world, with Australian families continuing to lose ground under the Albanese Government.
The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission’s (ACNC) latest Australian Charities Report has confirmed that cost-of-living-pressures are placing increasing strain on both Australian families and the charities that support them.
Australia will need to create almost two million new jobs over the next decade simply to maintain the current unemployment rate, according to new analysis by the Parliamentary Library commissioned by Western Australian Liberal Senator Dean Smith.
SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE SHADOW TREASURER SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE COST OF LIVING LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA 28 May 2026 LABOR’S CGT CHANGES THREATEN WA EXPLORATION, JOBS AND FUTURE MINES Labor’s proposed capital gains tax changes risk choking off investment into Western Australia’s mineral exploration sector, threatening jobs, discoveries and the next generation of mines that underpin the State’s economy. Western Australia would be hit hardest, accounting for more than 60 per cent of Australia’s mineral exploration activity and hosting the overwhelming majority of the nation’s exploration companies in West Perth. Mineral exploration, Australia’s original start-up sector, represents a $2.57 billion annual investment in Western Australia, supports more than 4,000 jobs and underpins the future of the State’s $220 billion resources industry. Junior explorers are high-risk, pre-revenue businesses, with only around one in 1,000 projects progressing to production. Without stable earnings, dividend streams or institutional backing, exploration companies rely on retail investors, self-managed super funds and “mum and dad” shareholders willing to back speculative, long-term opportunities. Recent ASX exploration IPOs have depended heavily on retail investors, who account for more than half of early-stage allocations on average. Reducing the after-tax return for those investors risks starving exploration of capital, weakening the pipeline from discovery to production and ultimately hitting jobs, royalties and government revenue. No exploration investment means no exploration, no discoveries, no new mines, no critical minerals and no credible “Future Made in Australia”. The Albanese Government has already scrapped the Junior Minerals Exploration Incentive (JMEI), despite the program generating hundreds of millions of dollars in additional exploration activity and strong long-term economic returns. A University of Western Australia study found mineral exploration generates between seven and twenty dollars in economic value for every dollar invested. With the Treasurer signalling potential carve-outs for parts of the technology sector, pressure is growing for mineral exploration to receive similar treatment given the disproportionate impact these changes would have on early-stage explorers. Comments attributed to Senator Dean Smith: “Over 60 per cent of Australia’s mineral exploration occurs in Western Australia and the overwhelming majority of these companies are based in West Perth, making this policy an attack on WA.” “Mineral exploration is Australia’s original start-up sector, and if you cut off capital you cut off discoveries, future mines, critical minerals and future jobs.” “Exploration companies do not have stable earnings, dividend streams or deep institutional backing; they survive because Australians are prepared to back high-risk opportunities with the prospect of long-term reward.” “Labor has already scrapped the Junior Minerals Exploration Incentive and now wants to reduce the incentive for investors to back the next discovery, which is a dangerous combination.” “A University of Western Australia study found mineral exploration delivers between seven and twenty dollars in economic value for every dollar invested, making it economically reckless to cut off investment before projects get off the ground.” “The next iron ore mine, lithium project, rare earth discovery or critical minerals operation starts with exploration capital and investors willing to take a risk.”
Labor’s proposed 30 per cent minimum tax on discretionary trusts could deliver a significant blow to Western Australia’s charity and not-for-profit sector, reducing support for churches, sporting clubs, community organisations and charities across the State.
SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE SHADOW TREASURER SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE COST OF LIVING LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA 22 May 2026 LABOR’S ZERO MINING INVESTMENT OUTLOOK A WARNING SIGN FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIAN JOBS Mining investment forecasts are heading in the wrong direction under Labor— and Western Australia cannot afford the consequences. Analysis commissioned by Western Australian Liberal Senator Dean Smith from the Parliamentary Library shows a mining investment forecasts have progressively weakened under successive Labor Budgets, with Treasury now forecasting 0.5 per cent growth in 2025–26, 1 per cent in 2026–27, and zero growth in 2027–28. This stands in stark contrast to stronger investment expectations seen in earlier budgets and reinforces growing concerns across the resources sector about uncertainty, rising costs and Australia’s deteriorating investment competitiveness. Western Australia’s mining and resources sector directly employs more than 130,000 people, sustains regional communities, contractors, manufacturers and engineering firms, and underpins billions of dollars in exports, taxation revenue and economic activity. The Parliamentary Library analysis shows the sector is increasingly focused on maintaining existing production rather than committing to major new investment. At the same time, industry warnings about Australia’s investment competitiveness are growing. Last year, the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) warned Australia’s international investment attractiveness had suffered a significant blow, with no Australian jurisdiction appearing in the Fraser Institute’s Top 10 mining investment destinations for the first time in living memory. Western Australia fell from 4th to 17th in the rankings, with AMEC pointing to approvals delays, land access issues and growing regulatory uncertainty. These pressures and increasingly being reflected across the sector. Over the past year, major mining companies, including Rio Tinto, BHP, Iluka, South 32 and others have announced restructures, redundancies or cost cutting measures affecting WA jobs. At a time of weakening investment forecasts and fierce global competition for capital, Western Australia must remain an attractive place to invest – and protect its fair GST share. Comments attributable to Senator Dean Smith “The Parliamentary Library analysis shows mining investment forecasts weakening Labor, falling to zero growth by 2027–28.” “Mining is the engine room of the Western Australian economy and when investment slows, jobs, regional communities and small businesses feel the impact. Labor continues to rely on mining revenue while uncertainty, rising costs and approvals delays make Australia less competitive for investment.” AMEC’s warning last year was clear – Australia is slipping in the global race for mining investment, and Western Australia cannot afford complacency.” “Now more than ever. We must back investment, strengthen competitiveness and protect WA’s fair GST share.”
The Reserve Bank’s latest decision to lift the cash rate by another 0.25 percentage points will heap further financial pressure on Australian families already struggling under the weight of rising mortgage repayments, persistent inflation and higher living costs.
SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE SHADOW TREASURER SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE COST OF LIVING LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA 8 May 2026 SURVEY SHOWS PERTH COSTS RISING FASTER THAN WAGES Perth families are being hit hardest by Australia’s cost-of-living crisis, with consumer prices rising 27 per cent over the past five years—the highest increase of any capital city. This analysis of CPI figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) was undertaken by the Federal Parliamentary Library for Senator Dean Smith. It provides a unique insight into price increases in Perth between the March 2021 and March 2026 quarters—most of which have occurred under Labor. The findings highlight the growing financial pressure on Western Australian families, with adult weekly earnings rising by just 18.5 per cent over the same period—well below the increase in household costs. Basic groceries have become significantly more expensive since 2021, with prices for eggs up 38.4 per cent, coffee, tea and cocoa up 39.4 per cent, bread up 31.2 per cent, breakfast cereals up 32.2 per cent, milk up 28.3 per cent, vegetables up 27.3 per cent, and beef and veal up 25 per cent. Perth recorded the fastest increase of any capital city for several key items, including milk, lamb and goat, food additives and condiments, cleaning and maintenance products, holiday travel and accommodation, and new dwelling purchases by owner-occupiers. The cost of dairy products rose by 27.6 per cent, while families with pets were also hit, with pet products increased by 23.7 per cent—adding further pressure to household budgets. Education costs have also climbed sharply, with secondary education up 28 per cent and tertiary education rising 29.5 per cent over the past five years. On top of these increases, Western Australians are facing an acute housing crisis, with the cost of building a new home in Perth surging by 71.9 per cent—the fastest increase of any capital city. Recent ABS data underscores the scale of the problem nationally, with the CPI rising by 4.6 per cent in the 12 months to March 2026—the highest annual inflation rate since September 2023. Housing—the largest component of the CPI—rose by 6.5 per cent over the year, while transport costs surged by 8.9 per cent, driven by sharp increases in fuel prices. In March alone, fuel prices surged by 32.8 per cent – the largest monthly increase on record – lifting petrol from 171 to 228 cents per litre and diesel by 41 per cent, while electricity costs rose 25.4 per cent over the year as rebates were withdrawn. Quotes attributable to Senator Dean Smith: “Western Australian Families are being hit hardest where it hurt the most – at the checkout, at the bowser, and in their mortgage repayments.” “Prices in Perth are up 27 per cent over five years while real wages have gone backwards, meaning families are working harder but falling behind.” “This data confirms what households already know – Labor has lost control of inflation, and Western Australians are paying the price.” “Inflation is not just a number on a page; it is the difference between putting food on the table or going without.” “This cost-of-living crisis didn’t happen by accident – it is the result of Labor’s spending problem and its failure to keep the economy under control.” ‘Out- of- control government spending has fuelled inflation, and Western Australian families are now paying the price.” “Until there is discipline in government spending and a serious plan to bring inflation down, the pressure on WA families will only get worse.” Parliamentary Library research on ABS CPI index by capital city March 2021 to March 2025 Capital City % Change March 2021-March 2026 March 2021 March 2026 Perth 27.0 79.86 101.81 Brisbane 25.9 80.56 101.42 Adelaide 25.4 81.14 101.79 Sydney 23.7 82.33 101.81 Hobart 23.3 82.61 101.86 Melbourne 22.9 82.85 101.79 Canberra 22.6 82.99 101.71 Darwin 21.9 83.07 101.27 Australia 24.2 81.87 101.70 Parliamentary Library research on ABS CPI data March 2021 to March 2026 – revealing where Perth recorded the fastest increase of any capital city and the national average in these expenditure items. ITEM Perth Increase Next Highest Capital Australia Increase New Dwelling purchase by owner- occupants 71.9 Hobart 59.5 42.4 Holiday travel and accommodation 26.1 Melbourne 25.9 23.7 Milk 28.3 Adelaide 28.1 28.2 Lamb and Goat 21.1 Adelaide 20.0 17.8 Food additives and condiments 21.6 Adelaide 21.1 21.0 Cleaning and maintenance products 23.2 Sydney 23.0 18.8 Parliamentary Library research on ABS CPI index data March 2021 to March 2026 recording Perth increases against national average by expenditure items. ITEM Perth Increase Australia Increase Bread 31.2 30.1 Breakfast cereals 32.2 30.2 Beef and veal 25.0 23.8 Pork 16.5 16.3 Fish and other seafood 19.4 18.9 Dairy and related products 27.6 27.4 Cheese 25.9 25.7 Ice cream and other dairy products 28.6 28.0 Vegetables 27.3 22.1 Eggs 38.4 43.0 Jams, honey and spreads 20.4 18.6 Food additives and condiments 21.6 21.0 Snacks and confectionary 33.0 32.5 Coffee, tea and cocoa 39.4 36.7 New dwelling purchase by owner-occupiers 71.9 41.8 Cleaning and maintenance products 23.2 18.8 Personal care products 15.6 14.7 Pets and related products 23.7 23.5 Secondary education 28.0 29.5 Tertiary education 29.5 31.6 ABS Average Weekly Earnings, Western Australia Nov 2020-Nov 2025 Year Earnings, Adult, Full time WA November 2020 1847.00 May 2021 1875.00 November 2021 1899.10 May 2022 1937.70 November 2022 1987.60 May 2023 2043.80 November 2023 2095.30 May 2024 2107.50 November 2024 2145.80 May 2025 2162.20 November 2025 2189.20
SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE SHADOW TREASURER SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE COST OF LIVING LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA 24 April 2026 PERTH YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT RISING AS COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS RAGES New analysis of data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed a rise in youth unemployment across Western Australia, with young people in Perth increasingly struggling to find work as a result of the Albanese Government’s economic mismanagement. The analysis was commissioned by Opposition cost of living spokesman Senator Dean Smith from the Parliamentary Library. The latest ABS Labour Force data confirms Western Australia’s youth unemployment rate has climbed from 8.4 per cent in February 2025 to 9.6 per cent in February 2026 – a significantly sharper increase than the national rise over the same period. In real terms, it means around 4,200 more young Western Australians are now unemployed compared to a year ago. In Greater Perth, youth unemployment has jumped from the low levels seen in 2023 – around 8.2 per cent – to 9.4 per cent in early 2026, although it has decreased slightly since peaking above 10 per cent during 2024. At the same time, more young people are entering the workforce, but fewer are finding jobs. The number of unemployed young people in Greater Perth has increased by approximately 2,400 over the past year on an annual average basis, even as participation has grown. This points to a labour market that is becoming increasingly difficult for young people to enter, particularly in sectors most exposed to household spending pressures. Across the economy, businesses are facing rising input costs, higher energy bills, increased borrowing costs, and declining consumer confidence. All of this is flowing through to hiring decisions. Entry-level and part-time roles, critical to young people trying to get a start, are often the first to be cut or scaled back when conditions tighten. The data shows that while youth unemployment nationally has edged higher, Western Australia has experienced one of the most pronounced deteriorations. This comes at a time when Western Australian households are already facing significant cost pressures, with rising rents, higher grocery bills, and elevated fuel prices putting additional strain on budgets. The result is a compounding effect: fewer job opportunities for young people, alongside increasing financial pressure at home. Comments attributable to Senator Dean Smith “The message from this data is clear: young Western Australians are going backwards under Anthony Albanese and Labor.” “After improving through 2023, youth unemployment in Perth has risen again – meaning thousands more young people are now out of work.” “In just one year, we’ve seen around 4,200 more young Western Australians unemployed.” “It is made all the worse by the fact that, in Perth, more young people are looking for work but more are also being locked out of the workforce.” “This needs to be a wake up call for the Albanese Government – Western Australia should be leading the nation, not experiencing one of the sharpest rises in youth unemployment anywhere in the country.”
