Treasurer Mike Nahan gave the frank assessment of the state’s financial outlook on Thursday in the 2014-15 annual report, which showed an operating deficit of $431 million.
That’s $856 million better than the estimate of almost $1.3 billion in this year’s budget, thanks to public sector wages growth being capped at the inflation rate.
Advertisement…”We understand where we’re going – it’s not an easy time.
“We’re trying to hold this ship together … keep employment going and we’re going through major structural change this state has never experienced because of the decline of the mining boom.
“I’m just telling people like it is. That’s what you have to do.”
About time, from Nine:
That’s a little more honest than the hopeful drivel we’ve seen to date though you will find the good doctor much more gloomy next year and despairing the year after as WA enters a depression, if he still has a job.
