Coronavirus: WA unveils $5.5 billion economic recovery plan to keep state afloat

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan has unveiled a $5.5 billion plan to recharge the state's economic recovery out of the coronavirus pandemic.

The government spend adds $2.7 billion towards stimulus efforts that include hundreds of initiatives.

"We are rushing as fast as we can to get projects out the door," Mr McGowan said today.

"As much activity as we can, as soon as possible."

Part of that activity will include a $60 million revamp of WA's police stations, fire stations and train station disability access points.

Another $66 million will form part of a renewable energy package that looks to benefit remote communities by building new battery electricity storage systems, in addition to solar panels at Perth bus stations.

During the pandemic, more than 80,000 jobs were lost in WA just a year after the state's first budget surplus in half a decade was handed down.

State Treasurer Ben Wyatt today said a financial update provided to the government showed that between the mid-financial year review at the start of 2020 and now, GST returns in WA dropped by $3 billion.

The major downturn has also seen the WA government delay its annual budget update until October this year in the expectation of further revenue losses.

Despite that, Mr Wyatt said the recovery efforts are not designed to deliver a return to surplus, but instead to keep the state's economy going for the next two years.

The update comes a day ahead of billionaire Clive Palmer's court battle over the state's hard border restriction measures, which is set to play out in the federal court in Brisbane from tomorrow.

The federal government has previously thrown its support behind Palmer's challenge, which claims that the border closure is unconstitutional.

Mr McGowan has said his advice is that the measure is "arguable" and that if it is repealed in court, another wave of COVID-19 could enter WA.

You can get up-to-date information from the Federal Government's Coronavirus Australia app, available on the App Store, Google Play and the Government's WhatsApp channel.

Beyond Blue's Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is a 24/7 service free of charge to all Australians. Visit the site here or call 1800512348

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