A new Western Australia poverty report has prompted a political clash, with Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas saying the state government’s efforts are failing as Premier Roger Cook defended a package of cost-of-living measures.
The 2026 Poverty Snapshot, produced by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre, estimates that 456,000 Western Australians — including almost 99,000 children — are living in poverty. It puts the poverty rate at 15.1 per cent, up from 11.8 per cent in 2021.
The report says rising housing costs and inadequate household incomes are pushing more people below the poverty line. It also warns that poverty must be measured not only by the number of people below an income threshold, but by how far their incomes fall short of what is needed for a basic standard of living.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Mr Cook acknowledged that many Western Australians were struggling and said his government had provided $1 billion in cost-of-living relief in the latest budget.
“We know that there’s a whole range of circumstances that lead to that, and that’s why our cost-of-living measures go across a range of different areas around public transport, around school costs, around fuel costs, and we’ll continue to look at what we could do to help West Aussies,” he said.
The Premier said governments at all levels needed to work together to ensure people were not left without support. He pointed to targeted measures intended to assist people living on or near the poverty line.
But Mr Zempilas said the figures showed the state government’s approach was not working. “If 15 per cent of West Australians are living on or below the poverty line, what do you think they think when they hear the state government talk about the most prosperous state in the nation?” he said.
“It’s not for them. It’s not for ordinary West Australians who are suffering like this.”
Housing costs identified as key driver of poverty
Professor Alan Duncan, director of the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre, said household incomes and the cost of essential expenses, particularly housing, both needed to be addressed.
The report recommends making affordable housing a priority in efforts to reduce poverty. Its proposals include expanding access to social and affordable housing, supporting households facing rental stress and ensuring incomes keep pace with living costs.
Mark Glasson, chief executive of Anglicare WA, said the findings should act as a warning, arguing that housing costs were a major factor in the growing pressure on households.
“We need to make sure people can afford a safe and secure home without sacrificing food, electricity or other essentials,” he said.
