❓ Opposition questions Premier regarding Auditor General's report on government campaign advertising, alleging misuse of public funds and non-compliance with GCA policy. Government defends its COVID-19 communications strategy, citing independent review findings.
AnsweredQoN 608Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ELECTION CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING — AUDITOR
GENERAL'S REPORT
608. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I
refer to the Auditor General's report on government campaign
advertising, and note that the Auditor General said —
� campaign advertising can � erode
public confidence if or when perceived to have been used for political purposes
�
I note the Auditor General said —
Directors General and chief executive
officers are responsible for ensuring that advertising and communications undertaken
by their entities � comply with the GCA policy and guidelines.
I also note the Auditor General has
found the Department of the Premier and Cabinet's director general has
not complied with GCA policy and guidelines, and some campaigns were not ''apolitical
in nature''.
(1) Will senior executives who were
responsible for those campaigns be stood down?
(2) How else will the Premier
restore public confidence after such blatant misuse of public funds?
GENERAL'S REPORT
608. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I
refer to the Auditor General's report on government campaign
advertising, and note that the Auditor General said —
� campaign advertising can � erode
public confidence if or when perceived to have been used for political purposes
�
I note the Auditor General said —
Directors General and chief executive
officers are responsible for ensuring that advertising and communications undertaken
by their entities � comply with the GCA policy and guidelines.
I also note the Auditor General has
found the Department of the Premier and Cabinet's director general has
not complied with GCA policy and guidelines, and some campaigns were not ''apolitical
in nature''.
(1) Will senior executives who were
responsible for those campaigns be stood down?
(2) How else will the Premier
restore public confidence after such blatant misuse of public funds?
AnswerView source ↗
I am very grateful the words are
written down in front of me. On behalf of the Leader of the House, this answer
is provided on behalf of the Premier.
(1)–(2) Changes relating to the audit's
recommendations surrounding governance are already being implemented. Unfortunately, some of the
audit's findings contradict the independent review of WA's
COVID -19 management and response and
seeks to undermine WA's world-leading response to the pandemic. The
independent review, led by former Liberal health minister John Day, found that
public communications were a critical part of the WA government's
pandemic response, recommending the same model be replicated should a future
pandemic occur. It is disappointing, yet unsurprising, that the Liberal Party
continues to undermine WA's incredibly successful pandemic response.
written down in front of me. On behalf of the Leader of the House, this answer
is provided on behalf of the Premier.
(1)–(2) Changes relating to the audit's
recommendations surrounding governance are already being implemented. Unfortunately, some of the
audit's findings contradict the independent review of WA's
COVID -19 management and response and
seeks to undermine WA's world-leading response to the pandemic. The
independent review, led by former Liberal health minister John Day, found that
public communications were a critical part of the WA government's
pandemic response, recommending the same model be replicated should a future
pandemic occur. It is disappointing, yet unsurprising, that the Liberal Party
continues to undermine WA's incredibly successful pandemic response.
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