"WA's forecast record $6 billion budget surplus for 2022-23 raises important questions about the priorities for WA's windfall gain from the current boom in iron ore royalties. One area of clear importance is for investment in rigorously-assessed, productivity-enhancing assets or initiatives that would drive the economic and social development of WA," Jeff Wilson, Director of Research for the national employer association Ai Group said today.
"For example, investment in WA's port infrastructure would assist in addressing the widespread supply chain and logistics challenges which are the number one barrier to business operations. The state of our port infrastructure and the uncertainty around the Westport project timeframes elevate the importance of such an investment.
"In a recent draft report, the Productivity Commission found that Fremantle Port was the least automated container port in Australia. And Fremantle Port languishes in the bottom 10% of international port rankings compiled by the World Bank.
"The State Government should expedite the Westport planning process with a view to informing decisions ahead of next year's Budget about the merits of the rapid upgrade to Fremantle Port," Dr Wilson said.
