Cook Labor Government silent on election promise to Women’s Community Health Centres
The Cook Labor Government is under growing pressure to explain the whereabouts of the $14 million it pledged to Western Australia’s Women’s Community Health Centres during the last state election, funding that was meant to deliver critical support for women’s health and wellbeing across the state.
Despite the announcement being welcomed by sector leaders as recently as February, the 2025–26 State Budget handed down on 19 June contains no mention of the promised funding. With no allocations listed, frontline services remain in limbo, unable to plan or expand in response to increasing community demand.
Repeated attempts to clarify the situation have been met with vague and insufficient responses.
We asked:
- Which centres have been told they will receive funding?
- When will the funds be delivered?
- What written advice has been provided regarding timing, amounts, or conditions?
In a brief 36-second response, the Parliamentary Secretary for Health failed to directly answer any of these critical questions.
Sector leaders are voicing their frustration and concern.
Dr Alison Evans, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing, said the budget silence came as a shock.
“We were shocked and so disappointed when there was no trace of the announcement in Thursday’s State Budget. This funding uplift was urgent. Battling to meet the growing need for their services is taking a significant toll. Meeting demand is proving impossible.”
If the Cook Labor Government can’t even say where the $14 million in vital women’s health funding has gone, what does that say about its ability to set the right priorities—let alone deliver on promises to women fleeing family and domestic violence?
The lack of transparency from the Government has left health providers without clarity or confidence. With demand for women’s health services surging, delays in funding are not just disappointing, they’re dangerous.
Women across WA deserve better.
View the full question and answer as delivered in Parliament here.
