Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the nation is ‘counting on WA’ amid uncertain global times ahead of visit

Treasurer Jim Chalmers will touchdown in Perth on Friday to spruik the economic benefits of his Federal budget amid what he describes as “heightened global uncertainty”. Dr Chalmers told The West Australian the country was “counting on WA” and its strong economy, with critical minerals back at the centre of trade policy amid Donald Trump’s tariffs. Aiming to impress voters in the West, Dr Chalmers revealed fresh figures claiming West Australians were on average earning $12,106 a year more than they were in 2022. His analysis showed WA workers were on track for a $3133 tax cut over the next two years. “At a time of heightened global uncertainty, Peter Dutton will increase taxes and make Western Australians much worse off,” Dr Chalmers said. “Western Australia is one of our best defences against President Trump’s tariffs. “In an uncertain world, we’re counting on WA.” Dr Chalmers will visit a vanadium facility while in Perth to talk about support for the growing critical minerals sector. The Government has legislated tax breaks for companies that move into processing critical minerals and has financed new projects from its $4 billion critical minerals facility. The Coalition has said it would repeal production tax incentives and open up the critical minerals financing facility to gas companies. Dr Chalmers said those moves would undermine WA’s economic resilience, and subsequently the nation. Resources Minister Madeleine King said a future made in Australia was the Federal government’s focus for “future generations of Western Australians to enjoy the good jobs and lifestyle that we have”. “Peter Dutton has said he will rip $17 billion out of our resources sector to build a nuclear reactor in Collie,” she said. The attacks come a day after Mr Dutton visited a Midvale mining equipment company offering to reinstate the $100 million junior minerals exploration incentive and promised WA a share of a $600 million fund to upgrade mining and agriculture roads. “If we can have a really vibrant economy of WA, then we can keep the Australian economy going,” Mr Dutton said. “It’s a contrast to where the Government is at the moment because they see mining as an impediment to their success in their fight with the Greens in Sydney and Melbourne.” But in a moment of division amongst the ranks, Nationals candidate for Bullwinkel Mia Davies spoke out against the Coalition’s position on production tax credits for critical minerals, which Mr Dutton has vowed to repeal. The refundable credit gives miners a direct reduction in tax bills, or a cash injection if they have no bill, as a way to incentive renewable hydrogen and critical minerals. Ms Davies told The West Australian she stood with industry “reliant on having these types of incentives”. “Had there been an opportunity for me to sit in that party room, I would have been making that point,” she said.