2017 WA LABOR PLATFORM CONTENTS Chapter 1: Enduring Labor Values 01 Chapter 2: Community and Social Policy 03 Chapter 3: Conservation, the environment 34 and climate change Chapter 4: Economics, Industry and 43 Regional Development Chapter 5: Transport, Roads, 106 Infrastructure and Planning Chapter 6: Education and Training 111 Chapter 7: Health 119 Chapter 8: Law, Public Administration 127 and Community Safety Chapter 9: International Relations 145 Non-Platform Items 151 ii | 2017 WA Labor Platform 2017 CHAPTER 1: ENDURING LABOR VALUES FAIRNESS INTRODUCTION We value fairness and equality and believe in a fair go for all - we believe that a nation 1 The Australian Labor Party was founded by the trade union movement on the principle should be governed in the broader interests that collective action is the best way to of all, not in the sectional interests of a few. improve the circumstances of working people in the community. COMPASSION 2 The Australian Labor Party recognises We value compassion and dedicate ourselves that modern societies are dynamic and to social justice. We believe that it is the changing, and that Western Australia must Australian way to work together to help be integrated into an increasingly connected alleviate suffering and disadvantage when we world. The Australian Labor Party also can. We believe that this compassion is also understands that Western Australia has a vital in ensuring human rights everywhere. dynamic free market economy, where the private sector generates most of the wealth INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM and creates most of the employment. We value liberty - the freedom to hold 3 Our Party is founded on pillars of fairness, whatever beliefs we choose while respecting justice and compassion for all. those of others; the freedom to express those beliefs without fear or favour; and As a Party, we believe that our diversity as the economic freedom to pursue our own individuals and communities actively engaged employment and enterprise. in building our future in Australia is our strength. LABOUR RIGHTS We are committed to protecting and Equity for those groups who face advancing the rights of working families, discrimination and exclusion, which unifies including their rights to join trade unions, and respects difference, are fundamental to to organise in the workplace, to bargain living this vision. collectively and to exercise their right to 4 WA Labor believes that all people are created strike. Our partnership with the trade union equal in their entitlement to dignity and movement remains crucial for Australia’s respect, and should have an equal chance future. to achieve their potential. For WA Labor, government has a critical role in ensuring RESPONSIBILITY fairness by: We believe that for all Australian • Ensuring equal opportunity citizens, rights must be accompanied by • Removing unjustifiable discrimination; and responsibilities. These responsibilities are • Achieving a more equitable distribution of to each other and to the wider community; wealth, income and status. and must be exercised by individuals, social and economic groups, organisations and Achieving these goals of an equitable governments. distribution of resources, power, rights, opportunities and responsibilities are what we OPPORTUNITY commonly refer to as social justice. We believe in opportunity, creativity and innovation as the basis for individual These are all goals that we share, and which aspiration and being rewarded for hard work, define Labor Governments. These goals are achievement and success. founded upon WA Labor’s enduring values: Authorised by P Gorman, 54 Cheriton St, Perth WA 6000 | 1 SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT 6 Therefore, when in Government, Labor will: We value the environment that sustains us a) Scope, design, implement and deliver a social all - and which we must now sustain with our inclusion strategy that ensures the social country’s united and urgent effort. and economic participation of all individuals, groups and communities in Western DEMOCRACY Australia. The strategy will include initiatives designed to address key challenges to the We value our democratic and public well being of all Western Australians such as institutions, which have the power to address poverty, homelessness and disadvantage in exclusion and disadvantage. all its forms. This strategy will be overseen by the Department of Premier and Cabinet and COMMUNITY provide a whole of government approach that We value our communities and our implements the social justice objectives of the families. Our families are the bedrock of our WA Labor Party; communities which we need to nurture, b) Deliver on all election promises; protect and support. We recognise the role of the community c) Engage the community as a whole in an in government decision making and the ongoing debate aimed at leading opinions on community’s right to be heard. inequality; d) Focus public fiscal activities and the HISTORY AND THE FUTURE role of the public sector on sustainable improvements that are tested against our We value the role that government and belief in social justice and not just our credit people have to play in creating a better future rating; and based on the lessons of our shared history. In particular, we acknowledge the role of e) Reward private sector activities that promote Indigenous people as the original owners Labor’s social justice objective. of this land and the unique role Indigenous 7 WA Labor will: people play in making policy decisions about a) Undertake measures to improve the the future. representation of women on government boards and committees and work towards a EQUALITY target of 50%; We value equality. We value people. We b) Actively oppose the inaction of governments recognise the value of every person and of all who do not establish significant affirmative peoples. action measures and/or have under- We believe the same rights, entitlements, representation of women in Parliament; opportunities, benefits and practices should c) Proactively pursue a 50% representation be available and accessible to all people. target on all Western Australian local We recognise the value of each person, as councils; individuals, as members of society and as collective groups within our community. d) Commit to a minimum of one third representation of women in State or Shadow Cabinet where there are sufficient numbers of LABOR IN GOVERNMENT elected women for this to take effect; 5 When Labor is in Government, the party, the electorate and the parliamentarians we select expect and are expected to further the objective of achieving social justice through government intervention and other policies 2 | 2017 WA Labor Platform 2017 e) Proactively pursue equal pay for women of b) Ensure all government departments and work of equal or comparable value; agencies fulfill their responsibilities to recognise and support the needs of carers; f) Commit to an Office of Women’s Policy Unit which will undertake research and provide c) Ensure carers and family members have policy advice and recommendations to the access to a range of respite options, State Cabinet; and including in-home, out-of-home, and other flexible options; g) Continuously build on the significant progress made towards reaching equal representation d) Ensure carers have access to packages of women in Parliament. which include provision of domiciliary support services, holiday care and occasional and CHAPTER 2: COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL emergency care; POLICY e) Provide financial and advocacy services CARERS support to carers; and VALUING CARERS f) Design program delivery and services in a way that recognises the diversity of carers 1 WA Labor believes; and their needs. a) That carers play an integral role in the FAMILIES AND CHILDREN Western Australian community; 4 WA Labor believes; b) That carers need ongoing support and services to assist them in their caring role; a) Strong families make strong communities and and a strong society; c) Caring needs may change over the life of b) Families are diverse; the individual living with disability, and so c) Positive experiences in early childhood are additional support may be required as an crucial for individual development and lead to individual’s age and primary carers change. good life outcomes; 2 WA Labor recognises: d) Government has a duty to support families, a) The diversity and differing needs of those who protect children and build communities; and are caring for others in our communities e) Quality family and children’s services depend b) That community services need to be on a professional workforce that is properly genuinely accessible so that no one is forced recognised and remunerated. to be a carer, and that no one is forced to rely 5 WA Labor in Government: on care from family members; a) Will place the rights and interests of the child c) That families and unpaid caregivers play an at the centre of the child protection system; essential role in enabling those who require care; and b) Supports proper resourcing of services and strong legislation to ensure children’s safety; d) That governments play an integral role in developing ongoing strategies to improve the c) Understand that as well as a central lives of carers. obligation to ensure child safety, resources must be allocated to early intervention and 3 WA Labor will: family support; a) Ensure legislation protects the rights of carers; Authorised by P Gorman, 54 Cheriton St, Perth WA 6000 | 3 d) Values the community and voluntary sectors 6 WA Labor will: as partners in supporting families