Western Australia Chronicles: January to June 2026

Western Australian politics during the first half of 2026 was characterised by the continued dominance of the Cook Labor Government, despite emerging signs of electoral competitiveness. Political debate focused heavily on housing affordability, health system pressures, cost‐of‐living concerns, climate and energy policy, and the Government's economic management. The May 2026 State Budget sought to respond to many of these issues through significant investments in housing, health, infrastructure and household support, although it attracted criticism from both the Opposition and advocacy groups for not going far enough. Meanwhile, local government governance issues remained prominent, leading to intervention in several councils and extraordinary elections in Nedlands and Port Hedland.