Cook launches ‘Made in WA’ manufacturing plan ahead of state election

Western Australian Premier Roger Cook unveiled Labor’s manufacturing vision on Sunday at the party’s official campaign launch, promising to boost local production and provide cost of living relief if re-elected on March 8.

Speaking to approximately 400 party supporters, including former premiers Mark McGowan and Peter Dowding, Cook outlined his “Made in WA” plan to diversify the state’s economy beyond mining.

“We’re now at the beginning of Western Australia’s next economic chapter,” Cook said. “This is our plan to elevate our skills and industries… and set our economy up for the future.”

The premier announced a residential battery scheme offering households between $5,000 and $7,500 to purchase batteries linked to solar panels. “Under WA Labor, the residential battery revolution will begin,” he said.

Labor currently holds 53 seats in the lower house, while the Liberals and Nationals hold three each following Labor’s landslide victory in 2021 under then-premier Mark McGowan.

At a separate campaign launch on Sunday, Liberal leader Libby Mettam promised “a return to common sense government” and pledged to restore upper house representation for regional areas following electoral boundary reforms under Labor.

Mettam also committed to a six-month review of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act and measures to reduce red tape for small businesses and commercial fishers.

The Liberal Party has faced recent challenges, with multiple candidates either resigning or facing criticism. Some have been accused of being “bigots, dodgy builders or One Nation rejects.”

Early polling commences on Monday.

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