Category Archives: headline

headline

Nevis: Troy Liburd Announcees School Reopening, Sept.13

Junior Education Minister addresses reopening of school on Nevis

NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (September 09, 2021) — The following is an address by Hon. Troy Liburd, Junior Minister of Education in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) regarding the reopening of school.

Fellow citizens and residents, 

I address you now in my capacity as Minister with Responsibility for Education on the Island of Nevis.

As you are aware, the Ministry of Education took the decision on Friday of last week, to delay the reopening of all public schools on Nevis by one week. At the same time the decision was also taken to temporarily close the offices of the Ministry and Department of Education at Marion Heights. This was as a result of a key education official contracting COVID-19, triggering a domino effect of contact tracing protocols, for most officers operating from that location, and extended to some principals and teachers in some of our schools.

The health and safety of our students during their time at our schools remains our top priority, and thus the decisions were taken to delay the reopening.

Notwithstanding the closure of our physical offices, education officials continued to work and to plan towards the reopening of schools. As of today September 9th 2021, the offices of the Ministry and Department of Education are now reopened.  

I want to assure you the parents and the general public that the Ministry of Education continues to work assiduously to ensure that all possible plans are in place to provide safe, quality education for our students on Nevis.  Education officials, principals and teachers have been involved in numerous planning sessions, fine-tuning the protocols to ensure the safest possible environment for all of our schools.

Therefore, the decision has been taken for all public schools on Nevis to open on Monday 13th September. The opening will be in accordance [with] the various protocols that have been developed for each school and communicated with parents. 

We have taken the decision to implement an alternate day schedule across the system for the first two weeks in the first instance. This is to decrease the numbers in the schools with the aim of protecting both students and staff and by extension, decrease the potential spread of the virus.

While we are aware of some of the implications associated with this decision, we want to reinforce the fact that every measure which is considered and implemented is done with the best interest of all parties in mind. Principals will communicate the arrangements and provide further details during your scheduled PTA meetings.

We ask parents to cooperate and to continue to partner with your schools to ensure that the teaching and learning process remains safe.

The Ministry continues to urge the immediate vaccination of all teachers, auxiliary school staff, day care and nursery providers. If you will not do it for yourself then I beg of you to do it for those in your care, those who are depending on you.

Vaccination remains our best hope of getting passed this dreadful disease. It is the best way to beat this disease, and it is the best way for our teachers and caregivers to help to protect the children that parents send to school daily.

It remains a cause for concern, and indeed it is disheartening to know that more than half of our teaching staff remain unvaccinated.

I implore you to consider the health and safety of our children, to consider that those below the age of 12 do not have an option to vaccinate, and are thus dependent on us to ensure that we buffer them from the devastation that COVID-19 can bring.

Throughout this global pandemic the government has continuously called on our people to act responsibly. Time and time again we have asked that our people adhere to the protocols, wear their mask, wash their hands and use hand sanitizer regularly, avoid crowded places and practice social distancing.

In addition, we have deployed vaccines for free. The government has secured Astra Zeneca and now the FDA-approved Pfizer vaccines for the protection of our people.

Many have come forward, and we thank you, but still some have said that they prefer to chance it. I would urge that you would reconsider, as we are dealing with a highly contagious and dangerous virus, and your decision may expose others.

In this difficult time, and it just that, a difficult time for all of us here in Nevis, it is perhaps okay for us to ask, what kind of a country are we? What kind of a people are we? and what direction we want to move in? COVID-19 is here, none of us brought it but all of our lives have been impacted by it.

I would ask that we continue to be our brother’s keeper, that we adhere to the necessary protocols, and that we partner with the Ministry of Education, with our parents and teachers and staff to ensure a safe and productive school year.

Thank you and may God continue to protect us all.

The post Nevis: Troy Liburd Announcees School Reopening, Sept.13 appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

headline

Biden Speech: Blames Unvaccinated for US COVID-19 Surge, UK Boosters, World Stats

By Morgan Chalfant
Th Hill

President Biden on Thursday admonished unvaccinated Americans and some elected officials for exacerbating the coronavirus pandemic as he laid out new, more aggressive steps his administration is taking to confront COVID-19.

President of the United States of America Joe Biden

“We have the tools to combat COVID-19, and a distinct minority of Americans, supported by a distinct minority of elected officials, are keeping us from turning the corner. These pandemic politics, as I refer to it, are making people sick, causing unvaccinated people to die,” Biden said in prepared remarks from the State Dining Room of the White House.

“We cannot let these actions stand in the way of protecting the large majority of Americans who have done their part and want to get back to life as normal,” he said.

Biden captured the frustration expressed by vaccinated Americans, saying the U.S. has made substantial progress against the virus but that the remaining 25 percent of eligible Americans — about 80 million people — who have not yet gotten vaccinated for COVID-19 threaten those gains. He went on to address unvaccinated people directly, telling them that his patience is “wearing thin.”

“My message to unvaccinated Americans is this: What more is there to wait for? What more do you need to see? We have made vaccinations free, safe and convenient. The vaccine is FDA approved. Over 200 million Americans have gotten at least one shot. We’ve been patient but our patience is wearing thin and your refusal has cost all of us,” Biden said. “So please, do the right thing.”

Biden, without naming anyone, also accused some elected officials of “actively working to undermine the fight against COVID-19.”

“Instead of encouraging people to get vaccinated and mask up, they are ordering mobile morgues for the unvaccinated dying of COVID-19 in their communities,” Biden said. “This is totally unacceptable.”

Biden’s remarks represented a notable shift in tone as he more sternly confronts Americans who have not got the COVID-19 vaccine and conservative politicians who have spouted anti-vaccine messages. Biden has previously sparred with the Republican governors of Texas and Florida for seeking to ban mask mandates in schools to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

At one point on Thursday, Biden suggested the unvaccinated could reverse U.S. gains in the economic recovery. 

On Thursday, Biden announced a new rule that will require all private employers with upwards of 100 employees to mandate weekly testing as well as plans to require vaccines for most federal workers and contractors. Biden also said he would require employers to provide paid time off to get the vaccine and he urged large entertainment venues to require proof of vaccination or testing to gain entry.

Biden, who two months ago was celebrating the country’s progress against COVID-19 with a large outdoor Independence Day gathering, warned that the U.S. faces a difficult road ahead against the highly contagious delta variant. At the same time, he stressed that the situation would not be as dire as last winter because of the strength of the vaccines in combating serious illness.

“We’re in a tough stretch and it could last for a while,” Biden said.

COVID-19 cases have risen across the U.S. after a low point earlier this year, as the delta variant has spread among unvaccinated Americans. In some areas of the country, such as Texas, COVID-19 patients have overwhelmed hospitals.

Just over 75 percent of U.S. adults have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while over 64 percent are fully vaccinated. Polls have shown that Republicans are more likely than Democrats to shun the vaccine.

The White House has spent months encouraging vaccinations by turning to celebrities, reaching younger Americans on social media, backing promotions and incentive programs, and working to address questions and concerns among various communities.

Biden, who was initially hesitant to support vaccine mandates, at the end of July directed federal workers to either attest to their vaccination status or submit to regular testing. The new order announced Thursday is a more aggressive step. The White House said that federal workers will have 75 days to become fully vaccinated, with limited exceptions for religious or medical reasons, and that not doing so could result in disciplinary action including termination. The new Labor Department rule impacting private sector employers is expected to impact millions.  

Biden’s announcement triggered swift backlash from Republicans, with a handful of GOP governors accusing him of federal overreach and vowing to fight him in court.

But polls have showed that a majority of Americans support vaccine mandates, suggesting that most of the public will be on Biden’s side even if he incurs criticism from GOP elected officials and voters.

“We have the tools to combat the virus if we can come together as a country and use those tools,” Biden said, expressing confidence that the U.S. can ultimately get beyond the virus. “We can and we will turn the tide on COVID-19. It will take a lot of hard work and it will take some time.”

===========================================

Ministers hoping vaccines watchdog will back mass rollout of booster jabs

Government awaits JCVI decision as MHRA says third jab of Pfizer or AstraZeneca would be safe

Gloved hands fill a syringe
A healthcare professional draws up a dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images
and
Guardian

Ministers have piled pressure on the vaccines watchdog to approve a large-scale programme of Covid booster injections in time for winter, as the number of people in hospital with the virus exceeded 8,000 for the first time since March.

On Thursday the UK’s medicines regulator granted emergency approval for the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines to be used as third shots to tackle potentially waning immunity, also putting pressure on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to approve a new jab programme.

Hours later, the health secretary, Sajid Javid, said he was confident that such injections would begin imminently. “We are heading towards our booster programme,” he said. “I’m confident that our booster programme will start later this month, but I’m still awaiting the final advice.”

The JCVI is expected to announce imminently whether it has approved boosters, and if so on what scale. Members of the committee, which advises UK health departments, met virtually for more than four hours on Thursday and were briefed on interim results from the Cov-Boost study.

While the study’s results have not yet been made public, they were cited as supporting evidence by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in its emergency approval of the vaccines to be used as boosters.

Javid and ministerial colleagues are believed to be impatient to begin a mass rollout of booster jabs, as has already happened in Israel. However, the JCVI could disagree; it has described the issues under discussion as complex and containing numerous ethical implications.

One of the leading figures in the development of the Oxford AstraZeneca jab, Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, has said a mass coronavirus vaccine booster campaign may not be necessary.

Immunity was “lasting well” for most people, she told the Daily Telegraph on Friday, and suggested extra doses should be directed to countries with a low rate of vaccination.

The JCVI has already approved third jabs for around 500,000 very clinically vulnerable adults and older children. Even if it does approve boosters, it could decide that these should initially be limited to older adults, or those with other health conditions.

Last week the JCVI declined to approve the use of Covid vaccinations for all 12- to 15-year-olds, something also strongly sought by ministers, instead expanding the use of jabs for those in the age group with severe health conditions.

The decision to withhold mass vaccinations for older children could still be reversed by a review of wider evidence by the chief medical officers of the four UK nations, which is also due to report imminently.

The MHRA’s announcement stressed that while it had approved booster vaccines in principle, it remained the JCVI’s decision over how, if at all, they could be used. “This is an important regulatory change as it gives further options for the vaccination programme, which has saved thousands of lives so far,” said Dr June Raine, the MHRA’s chief executive.

“It will now be for the JCVI to advise on whether booster jabs will be given and, if so, which vaccines should be used

While some scientists welcomed the MHRA’s move, others questioned whether it was ethical to provide millions of extra jabs to people with existing immunity when so many people worldwide had not yet received any vaccinations – a consideration that is not in the JCVI’s remit.

“By any standards this is good news,” said Danny Altmann, a professor of immunology at Imperial College London. “As we see in daily breakthrough caseload, Delta has really stress-tested our defences. While UK cases are held down to about 40,000 a day as we head into autumn, there’s clearly little room for complacency. Data from Israel has already shown clearly that a third dose can enhance protection substantially to bring breakthroughs right down.”

But Prof Andrew Hayward, the director of the UCL institute of epidemiology and healthcare, suggested that while the announcement was good news for countries with a plentiful supply of jabs, it could have downsides when it comes to fair distribution of vaccines around the world.

“Those who have had any doses of vaccine will be at much lower risk of severe Covid-19 than those who have had none – so whilst the booster dose is likely to further increase protection in those receiving it, the dose would save more lives if given to someone in a country who has not yet had the opportunity to get any doses,” he said.

“This is one reason not to consider a general, whole-population approach to booster doses, but to focus on those who are most vulnerable – [such as] the elderly and those who are extremely clinically vulnerable – who were also vaccinated earlier and have therefore had longer for antibodies to wane.”

==================================================

The world needs more vaccine supply – Oxford jab creator

It is “too simplistic” to ask whether booster jabs should be given to people in the UK over giving first doses to people in other countries, the scientist behind the Oxford vaccine says.

Prof Dame Sarah Gilbert tells the BBC News Channel: “The problem we really have is that the world needs greater vaccine supply.

“We need more doses of all of the vaccines that are currently licensed and we need more vaccines to be licensed so that we’re not talking about choices between vaccinating in one country or another country.”

She says the “good news” is that “supply is increasing”.

Asked whether over-50s and those with weakened immune systems in the UK should be offered a booster jab, Gilbert says this is a “very complex decision”, which has to take into account which vaccines are available, so we should wait for advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

============================================

WORLD STATS

Coronavirus Cases:

224,117,770

Deaths:

4,622,503

Recovered:

200,712,876
Highlighted in green
= all cases have recovered from the infection
Highlighted in grey
= all cases have had an outcome (there are no active cases)

[back to top ↑]

Latest News

September 10 (GMT)

Updates

  • 18,341 new cases and 789 new deaths in Russia [source]
  • 10,397 new cases and 78 new deaths in Japan [source]

The post Biden Speech: Blames Unvaccinated for US COVID-19 Surge, UK Boosters, World Stats appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

headline

How rural Aussies are helping their city mates in lockdown

You might have seen Macka on the tele a couple of weeks back.

Beef farmer Robert Mackenzie was watching from relative rural safety as metro local government areas (LGAs) began to lock down with COVID-19, and he wanted to help.

"Every time the bush gets in strife", Macka would tell me for the yarn I was doing on him, "whether it's fire, flood, or the biggest drought we've had in decades, the city comes and gives us a hand."

READ MORE: How one man escaped from the top of the World Trade Center

How rural Aussies are helping their city mates in lockdown

So Macka helped in the best way he could, delivering 300kg of black angus beef, which Cumberland Council then turned into lasagnas and shepherd's pies, to be added to emergency hampers for the slew of the shire's now stood-down or COVID-19 retrenched workers.

And it seems by doing so, Macka may have started something.

Social enterprise force Thankful saw Macka's yarn.

And off their own bat, they hit the phones, doing the cold calling to cockies to kick the idea of the bush helping the big smoke further.

"We saw the story on Channel 9 a few weeks ago, where a farmer was giving back, and we wanted to help propel that," says Thankful CEO Kim McDonnell.

"Every single time we had a conversation with a farmer and a producer, it was 'absolutely we'll help'.

READ MORE: NSW reopening plan slammed as 'incredibly risky'

How rural Aussies are helping their city mates in lockdown

"We were overwhelmed, but we weren't surprised by their kindness and generosity, and desire to want to give back."

One of those is Wentworth Hill, of The Gourmet Potato Hill in the Southern Highlands.

"If people don't step up, well, who's going to do it?" Wentworth proffers forcefully.

"It is the private sector who has got to step in in times like this and address the realities."

Mind you, while the paddocks are fertile, and the harvesters proof of it, the pain of lockdown ripples everywhere.

"When COVID-19 hit, it really knocked our income," says Wentworth, a lifeline thrown to him by a business contact.

READ MORE: NSW records 1542 new coronavirus cases and nine further deaths

How rural Aussies are helping their city mates in lockdown

"I spent about eight weeks on the floor, selling our potatoes. There's a lot of broken people out there I can tell you, broken."

Catherine Velisha, the veggie queen of Werribee, between Melbourne and Geelong, is also giving to the Thankful4Farmers campaign.

"Your employees are stressed; they come to you with things that you don't have answers for, the government doesn't have answers," says Catherine.

"I guess we're just grateful that we can still keep going, and we can help other people keep going as well with some fresh produce."

READ MORE: How North Korea's parade reveals country is 'clearly suffering'

How rural Aussies are helping their city mates in lockdown

So now in a function room of the council chambers, rows of open boxes show the generosity of Wentworth, Catherine, and a sizeable mob of like-minded farmers and businesses, sparked by the desire to give to the troubled in the city.

"From broccoli to celery and cauliflowers and bok choy and apples and pears, those boxes were absolutely overflowing," she said.

"That's what community's all about."

headline

Victoria's virus cases could soar to 1000 a day, epidemiologist warns

A leading epidemiologist has warned Victoria's coronavirus cases could soar to 1000 daily infections by the end of the month – on par with New South Wales.

The alarming estimate comes as the state recorded 334 new COVID-19 cases today, a figure that is set to rise as the Delta variant continues to rip through the community.

Professor Mary-Louise McLaws told 9News today data showed Victoria could soon be reporting quadruple-digit case numbers similar to NSW.

"I've looked at the data and I've analysed it from a couple of different perspectives," she said.

LIVE UPDATES: Vaccinated Aussies returning from overseas must still quarantine

"I agree with a model that says that soon, probably by the end of the month, that they could be at the same level as NSW."

Professor McLaws put the case number growth rate down to the rapid speed at which the Delta strain had torn through the state.

"It's the speed at which Delta moves and you've got just over 300 cases daily, and the growth rate hasn't slowed down," she said.

"There is no indication that you're peaking or slowing down.

"So unless there is some rapid intervention in those three hot spots particularly, and in the young group, then you'll continually see numbers rise.

"The exponential explosion will be huge."

While Sydneysiders will enjoy more freedoms once NSW reaches its 70 per cent double-dose vaccination threshold, there is no guarantee Victorians will get the same freedoms.

A roadmap is in the works but the Victorian Government is pleading for patience and to analyse new Burnet Institute modelling, stressing people will die if they don't act cautiously.

https://twitter.com/VicGovDH/status/1436099442592018443?s=20

A Coburg man in his 70s is the latest person to die with coronavirus in the state.

Professor McLaws said she did not believe the government needed to wait for modelling in order to announce a plan to exit lockdown.

"I don't think the government needs to wait for the modelling," she said.

"Certainly it's important to plan and have an idea of how many beds and staff you may need.

"But certainly people need some positive future. Previously this government has understood the impact of lockdown and I think that they can move forward with some very sensible outbreak management approach.

"It doesn't need modelling."

Train services hit by mass disruptions after positive case

Victoria's regional train services have been hit with mass disruptions after a driver tested positive.

The V/Line train driver's infection sparked a shortage of train drivers after he attended a staff room at Melbourne's Southern Cross Station, forcing 160 drivers and operation staff into two weeks of isolation.

Road Safety Minister Ben Carroll warned up to 100 V/Line train services would be disrupted today, with some 50 services cancelled this afternoon and evening.

Melbourne, Australia

"Health advice requires more than 160 drivers and operation staff to isolate – as a result, only a small number of services are able to operate to the normal timetable for the rest of the day," a Department of Transport statement read.

"50 V/Line services have been cancelled this afternoon and this evening. Coaches will replace trains on most lines, passengers are urged to allow extra time for their journeys."

The infected train driver travelled to Gippsland and attended the staff room while asymptomatic.

But Mr Carroll emphasised the driver "wore a mask" and "did the right things" while on the job.

https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/1436148712686829585

Victoria's COVID-19 cases

Victoria's 334 COVID-19 cases include:

  • 190 cases in the northern suburbs, including Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park
  • 100 cases in the western suburbs, including Truganina and Altona North
  • Nine cases in the eastern suburbs
  • 16 cases in the south-eastern suburbs, including Noble Park and Frankston
  • Four cases in regional Victoria: one is the V/Line staff member who lives in Gippsland, the second is a construction worker from Mitchell Shire, the third is a call centre worker from King Lake and the fourth is a case in Bacchus Marsh

"I am a little bit concerned about the number of cases creeping into the south-east," COVID-19 Response Commander Jeroen Weimar said.

"We are obviously dealing with significant community transmission in the north and west of our city.

"We are seeing a little bit of seeding out to the south and east."

READ MORE: NSW students awaiting clarity for exams as vaccine push receives boost

'Don't go to regional Victoria for vaccines'

A stern warning has been issued for Melburnians using vaccinations as an excuse to enter regional Victoria, with government officials today clarifying it's not a reason to cross the border.

Mr Weimar said he was aware of some Melburnians using vaccinations as a loophole to enter regional Victoria, which is not permitted.

"If you live in metro Melbourne you can go to any vaccination centre in metro Melbourne," he said.

"You cannot go to regional Victoria for a vaccination, you cannot go to regional Victoria for a test.

"That is not the behaviour we want to see."

Mr Weimar said he did not believe the issue was "widespread".

Businesses left 'disappointed' by regional announcement

A Victorian publican has praised a plan unveiled by New South Wales in reopening to vaccinated patrons after months of lockdowns.

From today regional Victoria – except for Shepparton – is open but there are strict limits on numbers, which David Strange said will make his business, and many others, not financially viable.

Hospitality venues can welcome back just 10 patrons inside and 20 outdoors.

Mr Strange operates a pub in Metung in East Gippsland and said businesses have been left "disappointed" by Premier Daniel Andrews' announcement.

"The business community is disappointed, we just would have liked more so we can run our businesses and employ people and serve the customers who want to come out of lockdown and get out of home," Mr Strange told Today.

"I see Gladys up your way has come out with something which is terrific, which gives people hope. We have Christmas five minutes away. I have to employ people. I have to train people, I have to order goods in. I have to prepare for it. And you know, it's not a five-minute job.

"It is a good four months' work ordering all the supplies in. The suppliers have the same problem I have got, so we need to plan and we need months of planning.

READ MORE: The restriction changes now in place for regional Victoria

"It's not a five-minute job running a business like a hospitality industry."

The patron caps will make it hard for businesses to make any profit, he said.

"But I am going to give it a go. I am trying to stay positive. We are going to have a very reduced menu.

"We have an area we can put people outside, so we can have 30 – when I say it like that it is just ridiculous, but I want the place to be open.

"It is not financially viable but I am hoping it will only be a week or two and if it was four or five months it would be a disaster but fingers crossed Dan will come around."

His staff will be vaccinated and patrons who haven't had the jab could be turned away.

"I have been working with my staff over the last month because I have had the view that it is going to be compulsory. I have to provide a safe working place for my staff."

READ MORE: Premier 'not shocked' as Victoria records 324 new coronavirus cases

Ninety per cent were already jabbed, he said.

"The other 10 per cent are just waiting their turn because they are young kids. 

"But I am hopefully, by the end of this monthly have 100 per cent uptake from the staff."

As for patrons, Mr Strange said those who are not vaccinated won't be welcome.

"I have come across a couple who aren't (vaccinated) and I have said to them, 'you know, it will be my decision and my decision will be probably in October you will have to be vaxxed to come in'.

"I can't have people come into my venue and giving each other this virus that could kill you for a simple vaccination, and my staff.

"I have to provide a safe working place and I can't have that sort of thing going around in the pub."

Yesterday Victoria recorded 324 new infections with the Premier warning Victorians the state had not yet reached the peak of its coronavirus outbreak.

headline

WA's border to remain closed to NSW for Christmas

WA Premier Mark McGowan has said people from New South Wales will not be allowed into Western Australia for Christmas even if they are fully vaccinated.

The premier's bombshell comment has continued to pedal the tense debate on when states and territories should drop their border restrictions with coronavirus-infected parts of the country.

Speaking to 2GB today, Prime Minister Scott Morrison weighed in on the topic, insisting Australia – including all states and territories – could not be closed off forever once vaccination targets had been met.

LIVE UPDATES: Vaccinated Aussies returning from overseas must still quarantine

WA Premier Mark McGowan has touted a massive surplus on the back of iron ore royalties.

Mr Morrison said he understood why some states might be hesitant to open up to the rest of the country – such as Western Australia and Queensland – but at some point, borders had to reopen, and international travel had to recommence.

"If not at 80 per cent then when?" Mr Morrison said.

"You can't move the goalposts. We've done the work. We've worked out the safe way to do this. I think Australians just want to get on with it."

Mr McGowan has not budged on his hard border stance, today explaining vaccinated people could still spread COVID-19.

"Even though you might be vaccinated, you can still transmit the virus," he said.

"So we're just going to have a very strong approach to these things.

"We'll make a decision when it's safe to do so."

READ MORE: 'Get vaccinated and get ready': PM's warning to Western Australia

WA Premier Mark McGowan looks thrilled after reaching into a box of Favourites and getting a Flake during the budget lockup yesterday.

The premier today refused to hit back at the NSW Treasurer after he was unfavourably likened to a character from Lord of the Rings.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet described Mr McGowan as the "Gollum of Australian politics", insinuating he was holding on too tightly to the state's GST revenue.

"You can just picture him over there in his cave with his little precious — the GST," Mr Perrottet said.

READ MORE: WA Premier Mark McGowan delivers $5.6 billion surplus in budget

But Mr McGowan was unfazed by the remarks.

"These sorts of things are said. I'm not too worried about them," he said.

"They're going through a very, very tough period.

"We're doing everything we can to help NSW during this difficult period.

"I'm not too worried about what they say."

Mr McGowan touted a record $5.6 billion surplus on the back of massive iron ore royalties.

"We've managed to stabilise our financial condition in the midst of the worst crisis the country has seen since the Second World War," Mr McGowan said.

"All the other states are awash with debt."

Mr McGowan lamented how much WA tax revenue was being spent elsewhere.

"We only get 70 cents on the dollar. It's not as though we're getting $1 for every dollar we put it," he said.

"We're still battling the other states.

"We still subsidise the other states to the tune of $8000 for every man, woman and child in Western Australia."