Former Western Australian Labor premier Mark McGowan has taken aim at the “sad eastern states”, and said the Albanese government had “maxed out” on debt.

Australia’s national debt is rising at a rapid pace, primarily due to increased government spending - with expenses rising by 8.4 per cent or $74.2 billion in 2023-24.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has faced repeated calls to curb surging spending levels and begin repairing the mounting fiscal hole with economists warning the revenue gap of $20 billion could keep a budget surplus out of reach for more than a decade.

Eastern states including Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania are also grappling with record high debt levels as revenue streams continue to dry up.

Former Western Australian premier Mark McGowan re-emerged on Wednesday to deli

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