WA election 2025: Labor MPs rack up more than $100m in local promises from soccer shirts to 428km of yarn

Labor MPs and candidates have racked up more than $100 million in local promises as the Government attempts to shore-up as many seats as it can at the March 8 election. Analysis of local announcements by WA Labor MPs and candidates has revealed more than 810 local announcements — promising to splash out $108 million, covering every corner of the State. They range from money for low-value school upgrades such as replaced courts and shade sails, to sport equipment for clubs and IT gear for community groups. Kalgoorlie MP Ali Kent has committed $300,000 to a drive-in theatre in Leonora, describing it as “a place to bring people together, create lasting memories, and strengthen community spirit.” Landsdale candidate Daniel Pastorelli, who has the highest total of cash splash announcements on social media, announced $5000 for wool for Knit and Natter. It would net the knitting group a staggering 428km of yarn from Spotlight. Bunbury MP Don Punch chipped in $6000 to the local sea shanty festival, while Hillarys’ Caitlin Collins announced $43,000 for Whitford City FC to get new training shirts, and “special merchandise” for the club’s 50th anniversary. All up, the tally includes at least $18m for schools and more than $11m for sporting groups. Some of the most expensive promises including community centres for the Chinese, Indian, Vaishnav and Vietnamese diaspora across Perth, as well as $3m for upgrades to facilities at Wellington Dam in Collie. The $108m total does not include some of Labor’s bigger packages of local announcements including $186m on upgrades at 50 sporting clubs across WA and millions in local road upgrades, CCTV, and substantial school redevelopments. Labor insiders revealed that each MP and candidate was offered the chance to submit projects for funding. And the full suite of commitments would be funded through the Budget, rather than through local grants programs, unlike previous campaigns. Shadow treasurer Steve Martin said Labor’s history with similar schemes — such as the Local Projects, Local Jobs programs — had raised questions from oversight groups. “Funding for community groups is an important role of government, but the Auditor General has previously raised shortcomings with how Labor has allocated money to community groups,” he said. “Any funding needs to be allocated fairly and transparently. “At the end of the day, Western Australians are crying out for a better hospital system, lower cost of living, more homes, and safer communities and that is exactly what the WA Liberals are focused on.” Liberal candidates have also pledged funding for a range of smaller, local promises. Asked about the vast array of commitments on Thursday, Premier Roger Cook said community groups welcomed the funding. “We know that our community groups are the lifeblood of our communities and our electorates, so obviously we work with them to help them continue to do their great work,” he said. “This is a program that we’ve run over successive political cycles. “It’s a really popular program because it means that community groups can get the assistance they need to keep doing their great work. “A lot of work which goes under the radar and doesn’t get appreciated.” Treasurer Rita Saffioti confirmed all commitments would be delivered if Labor was re-elected, regardless if local communities returned a Labor MP.