00:02The post-budget breakfast is a defining moment for any Treasurer.
00:07A chance to sell the budget to a who's who of WA's business community.
00:11But before she got the chance, she had to listen to a blistering six-minute spray by the West Australian's
00:16editor-in-chief.
00:17His barrage of criticism silencing the room.
00:21I'm not sure if sarcasm is landing here this morning.
00:23Despite the onslaught, the Treasurer soldiered on.
00:26It's always great to have a character assassination from the West editor after you've accepted their gracious invitation to be
00:34here today.
00:35She backed in her big spending agenda.
00:38You always have to strike a balance.
00:39There are some say that we need to have done more in relation to cost of living and some that
00:44say should have done less.
00:45We want to make sure WA households are front and centre of our thinking.
00:49Reaction to the government's $100 giveaway for every driver regardless of income to help with fuel costs mostly positive.
00:57It's come at a good time from the government.
01:00But I don't really need it too much.
01:02I would put it on into my car.
01:05The fuel is just costing too much at the moment.
01:08I'm impressed that they've actually given this out to people.
01:11Some charities calling for people to redirect their payment if it's not needed.
01:15It would be great to see it come to the care sector and to organisations like us.
01:20If you need the $100, well then apply for it.
01:23And if you don't need the $100 or you don't agree with the $100, don't apply for it.
01:27The government claims a typical family of four will be $3,500 better off if they qualify for every cost
01:34of living measure on offer.
01:36That includes the new fuel handout, a continuation of student assistance payments, the already announced cheaper public transport flat fare
01:45as well as kids sport vouchers and energy assistance payments reserved for concession card holders.
01:52While the government has been championing its cost of living measures, some analysts believe the measures aren't enough to really
02:00help those in need.
02:01The budget is fairly infrastructure heavy and that is really justified.
02:06When you look at the range of measures and the cost of living reliefs, I don't think that level of
02:13sort of financial disadvantage has been sufficiently compensated.
02:19For most West Australians, the impact of $100 isn't going to make a difference to all of those things they
02:27are struggling with.
02:28Cost of living pressures and an off key speech dominating the conversation.
02:35Cuclock the podcast isavoast!
02:35Are we waiting for a challenge?
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