WA Parliament Convenes to Debate Housing Crisis and Cost of Living Relief

WA Parliament in Session as Energy Relief and Housing Crisis Take Centre Stage

The Western Australian Parliament is scheduled to sit today, Thursday, 19 March 2026, with both houses convening to address a legislative agenda heavily focused on the state's economic pressures and the ongoing housing shortage. The Legislative Assembly is set to begin its session at 12:00 PM, followed by the Legislative Council at 1:00 PM. These sessions come at a critical time as the government faces mounting pressure to deliver relief to residents in the upcoming 2026-27 State Budget.

Today’s parliamentary proceedings follow significant updates regarding financial assistance for households. Yesterday, Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson and Finance Minister David Michael reminded residents of the fast-approaching 31 March deadline for the $150 energy bill credit. This initiative, part of the 2025-26 Federal Budget agreement, is a primary focus for the Cook Government as it attempts to mitigate rising utility costs for families not directly billed by major providers like Synergy or Horizon Power.

Beyond cost-of-living measures, the housing crisis is expected to dominate today's discussions. Advocacy group Shelter WA released a statement earlier this week highlighting that crisis accommodation levels have hit a critical low, with the number of Western Australians sleeping rough more than doubling over the past five years. Members of the opposition are expected to challenge the government on its previous 2025 pledge to end rough sleeping, particularly as daily unassisted requests for emergency housing continue to rise.

Key items on the broader government agenda today include:

• Legislative Sessions: Debate on budget priorities and current cost-of-living relief strategies.
• Infrastructure and Fuel Security: Following recent announcements by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti, updates are expected on the implementation of heavier load permits for regional road trains to bolster fuel security across the state.
• Urban Planning: Continued discussion regarding the "Shaping Perth City Centre" framework and its integration with the Draft Perth Capital City Plan, which aims to transform the CBD by 2036.

While major metropolitan councils, including the City of Perth and City of Stirling, held their ordinary meetings earlier this week, the focus of the state’s political landscape remains firmly on Parliament House today. The outcomes of these sessions will likely set the tone for the final budget submissions due later this month, as the government seeks to balance long-term growth projects with the immediate needs of Perth’s most vulnerable populations.