Western Australia’s Budget Surplus to Fight Cost of Living Crisis

Rio Tinto's Port Dampier operations in Western Australia's Pilbara region. A mining boom in Australia is creating a skills shortage driving the Australian Government to encourage U.S. skilled workers to Australia. Amy Coopes/AFP/Getty Images

Flush with funds amid surging commodity prices, Western Australia is set to deliver another budget surplus, along with sweeping measures to fight the cost of living.

The surplus in Thursday’s state budget is tipped to fall short of last year’s record $5.8 billion (US$ 3.93 billion) but would still lead the nation, with some analysts forecasting about $2.5 billion.