Western Australian Treasurer Rita Saffioti handed down a $3.2 billion budget surplus underpinned by stronger-than-forecast iron ore royalties in her first budget.
The pre-election budget also splashed billions of dollars on cost-of-living assistance and new housing measures, which Ms Saffioti insisted would not stoke inflation.
Brad Thompson writes across business and politics from Western Australia for The Australian Financial Review. Brad is based in our Perth bureau. Connect with Brad on Twitter. Email Brad at brad.thompson@afr.com
