❓ Hon Martin Aldridge questions the Treasurer regarding the timeline and concerns surrounding the $600 million procurement of rapid antigen tests (RATs) by the Departments of Finance and Health. The Treasurer confirms dates and denies concerns, while also criticising the opposition's stance on RAT procurement.
AnsweredQoN 344Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS — RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS —
PROCUREMENT PROCESS
344. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the minister representing the Treasurer:
I refer to the Under Treasurer's
certification that appears in the Government mid-year financial projections
statement of December 2021.
(1) On what date
did the Under Treasurer or Treasury first become aware of an order or an
intention to order rapid antigen tests by the Department of Finance and
Department of Health?
(2) On what date
did the Treasurer first become aware of an order or an intention to order rapid
antigen tests by the Department of Finance and Department of Health?
(3) Has the Under
Treasurer or Treasury expressed any concern in relation to the procurement
process relating to the almost $600 million
procurement; and, if so, can the minister please table any correspondence regarding this matter?
PROCUREMENT PROCESS
344. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the minister representing the Treasurer:
I refer to the Under Treasurer's
certification that appears in the Government mid-year financial projections
statement of December 2021.
(1) On what date
did the Under Treasurer or Treasury first become aware of an order or an
intention to order rapid antigen tests by the Department of Finance and
Department of Health?
(2) On what date
did the Treasurer first become aware of an order or an intention to order rapid
antigen tests by the Department of Finance and Department of Health?
(3) Has the Under
Treasurer or Treasury expressed any concern in relation to the procurement
process relating to the almost $600 million
procurement; and, if so, can the minister please table any correspondence regarding this matter?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the
Treasurer.
(1)–(2) Initial
purchase orders for rapid antigen tests were made in mid-December. The
Department of Treasury was made aware of the first order on 21 December 2021.
The 2021–22 Government mid-year financial projections
statement was released on 16 December 2021.
RATs form an important part of Western
Australia's management of COVID-19. It is disappointing to see the
Liberal and National Parties continue to oppose the McGowan Labor government's
efforts to procure RATs for the Western Australian community in a time when
there was an international shortage of RATs.
(3) No.
some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the
Treasurer.
(1)–(2) Initial
purchase orders for rapid antigen tests were made in mid-December. The
Department of Treasury was made aware of the first order on 21 December 2021.
The 2021–22 Government mid-year financial projections
statement was released on 16 December 2021.
RATs form an important part of Western
Australia's management of COVID-19. It is disappointing to see the
Liberal and National Parties continue to oppose the McGowan Labor government's
efforts to procure RATs for the Western Australian community in a time when
there was an international shortage of RATs.
(3) No.
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