❓ Hon Anthony Spagnolo questions the Treasurer regarding an Expenditure Review Committee (ERC) meeting in October 2024, alleging underfunding of the 2025 state election. The parliamentary secretary rejects the premise, highlighting increased resourcing for the WA Electoral Commission (WAEC).
AnsweredQoN 654Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
2025 state election—Expenditure Review Committee
meeting
654. Hon Anthony Spagnolo to the parliamentary
secretary representing the Treasurer:
I refer to the
Expenditure Review Committee meeting held on 23 October 2024, which the Special Inquiry into the Planning and Delivery of the
2025 Western Australia State General Election: Report , led by Hon
Malcolm McCusker, identified as the point at which the decision to underfund
the election was made.
(1) Who were the ERC members present at the
meeting on 23 October 2024? Please list the names and ministerial portfolios.
(2) Who chaired the ERC meeting held on 23 October
2024?
(3) Will the Treasurer release all information
about the ERC meeting of 23 October 2024 that was provided to the special
inquiry?
meeting
654. Hon Anthony Spagnolo to the parliamentary
secretary representing the Treasurer:
I refer to the
Expenditure Review Committee meeting held on 23 October 2024, which the Special Inquiry into the Planning and Delivery of the
2025 Western Australia State General Election: Report , led by Hon
Malcolm McCusker, identified as the point at which the decision to underfund
the election was made.
(1) Who were the ERC members present at the
meeting on 23 October 2024? Please list the names and ministerial portfolios.
(2) Who chaired the ERC meeting held on 23 October
2024?
(3) Will the Treasurer release all information
about the ERC meeting of 23 October 2024 that was provided to the special
inquiry?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. I provide the following
answer on behalf of the Treasurer.
(1)–(3) I reject the premise of the
question. The Western Australian Electoral Commission received significant
increases in resourcing at both the 2021 and 2025 elections. The independent
inquiry into the 2025 election shined a light on the insufficient processes and
culture at the WAEC in the lead-up to the election that led to poor outcomes
and the ineffective allocation of resources. The WAEC received significant
increases in resourcing at both the 2021 and 2025 elections since our
government came to office. The 2017 election cost around $18.5 million, the
2021 election $26.3 million and the 2025 election $44.7 million.
honourable member for some notice of the question. I provide the following
answer on behalf of the Treasurer.
(1)–(3) I reject the premise of the
question. The Western Australian Electoral Commission received significant
increases in resourcing at both the 2021 and 2025 elections. The independent
inquiry into the 2025 election shined a light on the insufficient processes and
culture at the WAEC in the lead-up to the election that led to poor outcomes
and the ineffective allocation of resources. The WAEC received significant
increases in resourcing at both the 2021 and 2025 elections since our
government came to office. The 2017 election cost around $18.5 million, the
2021 election $26.3 million and the 2025 election $44.7 million.
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