❓ Ms. Brewer questions the Treasurer about legal costs incurred by the Insurance Commission of WA in the DB v State of WA case. The Treasurer deflects, stating the Attorney General's portfolio is responsible.
AnsweredQoN 475Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DB v the State of Western Australia475.Ms Sandra Brewerto
theTreasurer:I refer to the
judgement delivered inDB v the State of Western
Australia, which awarded the plaintiff almost $3 million in damages for
child sexual abuse suffered while a ward of the state.(1) Can the Treasurer confirm whether the
Insurance Commission of Western Australia, on behalf of the state, has paid a
private law firm more than $440,000 for the use of private lawyers in this
case?(2) Can the Treasurer confirm whether further
invoices are expected and this cost will escalate?Dr Tony Buti:Why don't you ask the Attorney
General?Several members
interjected.The Speaker:Members!Dr Tony Butiinterjected.The Speaker:Attorney General, the questions are not
to you.
theTreasurer:I refer to the
judgement delivered inDB v the State of Western
Australia, which awarded the plaintiff almost $3 million in damages for
child sexual abuse suffered while a ward of the state.(1) Can the Treasurer confirm whether the
Insurance Commission of Western Australia, on behalf of the state, has paid a
private law firm more than $440,000 for the use of private lawyers in this
case?(2) Can the Treasurer confirm whether further
invoices are expected and this cost will escalate?Dr Tony Buti:Why don't you ask the Attorney
General?Several members
interjected.The Speaker:Members!Dr Tony Butiinterjected.The Speaker:Attorney General, the questions are not
to you.
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 September 2025
Response time
0 days
Ms Rita Saffioti replied:If only there were a
minister in this place who is responsible for this issue. There they are! I do
not provide directions to the Insurance Commission of Western Australia on how it
handles cases. I do not do that. Asking me that question is ridiculous. To be
honest, again, the opposition raised this issue in this place and the question
yesterday from the Leader of the Opposition was grubby. I find it odd that the
Leader of the Opposition wants to trawl back through what happened in everyone's
past, and particularly the Leader of the Opposition's, from 30 or 40 years ago.Several members
interjected.Ms Rita Saffioti:You tell us.As I said, I do not
provide direction to the Insurance Commission of Western Australia on how it
handles cases. It handles many cases. It does not seek my direction, nor is it
legally, I think, allowed to seek my direction. This is a matter that is being
handled through the Attorney General's portfolio.Dr Tony Butiinterjected.The Speaker:Attorney General!
DB v the State of Western Australia
minister in this place who is responsible for this issue. There they are! I do
not provide directions to the Insurance Commission of Western Australia on how it
handles cases. I do not do that. Asking me that question is ridiculous. To be
honest, again, the opposition raised this issue in this place and the question
yesterday from the Leader of the Opposition was grubby. I find it odd that the
Leader of the Opposition wants to trawl back through what happened in everyone's
past, and particularly the Leader of the Opposition's, from 30 or 40 years ago.Several members
interjected.Ms Rita Saffioti:You tell us.As I said, I do not
provide direction to the Insurance Commission of Western Australia on how it
handles cases. It handles many cases. It does not seek my direction, nor is it
legally, I think, allowed to seek my direction. This is a matter that is being
handled through the Attorney General's portfolio.Dr Tony Butiinterjected.The Speaker:Attorney General!
DB v the State of Western Australia
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