Western Australia Announces $1.6 Billion Boost in COVID-19 Funding

Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan speaks to the media during a press conference in Perth on Feb. 5, 2022. AAP Image/Richard Wainwright

The West Australian government will allocate an extra A$1.6 billion ($1.13 billion) in COVID-19 response and recovery funds in this week’s state budget.

The extra cash will take the state’s total pandemic-related spending to A$11.2 billion ($7.9 billion) and will cover a suite of measures including A$635 million ($449 million) for the supply of free rapid antigen tests.