WA Premier Mark McGowan has denied his government's backflip on $23 million worth of education cuts could open the door for similar campaigns from other sectors and further hamper efforts to fix the budget.
The premier this week reversed a decision to scrap the School of the Air and funding for the state's gifted and talented program, as well as other cuts, following a public outcry.
But $41 million in cuts remain.
The controversy comes after the government dropped plans to relocate the academically selective Perth Modern School.
The hole in Labor's planned budget savings must now come from other departments but Mr McGowan denies his government may find itself under pressure if similar campaigns attempt to force decisions to be reversed.
He insisted he would not give in to spending demands.
"I think what it shows is that we're a government that listens, that we understand that if we make a mistake you change direction and you rectify the mistake," Mr McGowan told reporters on Friday.
"I think that's a refreshing change after what happened over the course of the eight-and-half years prior (under the Barnett government)."
Mr McGowan also urged against possible strike action from the CPSU/CSA who remain concerned about job cuts.
"The issues surrounding staffing levels across various departments are voluntary redundancies ... so if their members don't want to take it, they don't have to," he said.
Union delegates will meet on Tuesday to discuss whether a strike or other form of industrial action should be taken.
The premier accepted his government had failed to properly consult people before making the education cuts, but stressed the department was extremely well funded in WA.
"We're providing additional education assistance, Aboriginal islander education assistance ... learning specialists in the regions ... (and) additional support in specialist subjects in the regions," he said.
"Have a look at the totality of what the government's doing rather than having a look at specific issues or specific areas of saving."
Share
