HON ANDREW HASTIE MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CANNING
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE INDUSTRY
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL

MEDIA RELEASE

21 August 2024

LOCAL MP CALLS ON COOK GOVERNMENT FOR URGENT COST OF LIVING ACTION

Federal Member for Canning Andrew Hastie MP has issued a strong call to the WA Cook Government to take immediate action on rising costs of living across Western Australia, saying people in Canning are “struggling to make ends meet” and that current State Government measures are “failing people in my region”.

The urgent call comes in response to alarming findings from the hunger relief charity Foodbank, which has seen a staggering 50 per cent increase in lunch requests, with teachers even using their own money to feed students.

The growing demand for Foodbank services, which support more than 540 schools across Western Australia, is now being driven by more advantaged schools and families who have never sought help before. 

Adding to concerns are the recent NAPLAN results, revealing that one in three students across Western Australia are not meeting basic literacy and numeracy expectations.

Research shows that not having breakfast can significantly impact children's ability to learn, affecting concentration, memory, and overall academic performance.

Mr Hastie said the increasing reliance on food banks in his electorate of Canning is a glaring indicator that the WA Labor Government is not providing adequate support to those who need it most.

“People in my community are struggling—they have been let down,” Mr Hastie said.

“Despite the WA Labor Government talking up their so-called cost-of-living initiatives, at the end of the day, they’re clearly not working.

“Here in the Peel Region, more and more families are desperately reaching out to charities to put food on the table.

“These aren't just the most vulnerable members of our society—these are families with stable jobs who, despite working hard, are finding it impossible to keep up with the rising costs of living."

[ENDS]