❓ Opposition questions the government's complicity and indifference regarding a DevelopmentWA Auditor General report, suggesting financial mismanagement. The Premier defends the government's record by highlighting increased funding to the Auditor General and contrasting it with the previous government's actions, while also referencing a major fraud case discovered under their leadership.
AnsweredQoN 177Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DevelopmentWA—Auditor General report
177. Mr Basil Zempilas to the Premier:
I have a
supplementary question. Will the Premier admit that this report demonstrates an
unacceptable level of complicity and indifference by the government that has
likely short-changed Western Australian taxpayers?
177. Mr Basil Zempilas to the Premier:
I have a
supplementary question. Will the Premier admit that this report demonstrates an
unacceptable level of complicity and indifference by the government that has
likely short-changed Western Australian taxpayers?
AnswerView source ↗
Mr Speaker, I think
I have already answered that question, but I will make the observation—
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members of the opposition.
Mr Roger Cook: —that this government has
increased the funding to the Auditor General's office by 123% since we have
come into government. It was $24.1 million in 2016–17 versus $53.8
million in 2024–25. This contrasts with the experience of the OAG under
the previous Liberal–National government. Between 2011–12 and
2016–17, the OAG's budget was increased by just 7%.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition, you have
already asked the question. Let the Premier respond.
Mr Roger Cook: We are the party that respects
transparency, accountability and processes.
Several members
interjected.
Mr Roger Cook: Of course, our government discovered
the biggest single case of public sector fraud in the nation's history when we
came to government. The episode of Paul Whyte at the department of housing is a
shameful period of public sector management and accountability. Who did that
take place under? It took place under the watch—
Several members
interjected.
Mr Roger Cook: —or under the concocted
blindness of those members opposite when they were in government. Thank
goodness we now have a government that properly funds the Office of the Auditor
General, properly manages the state's finances and properly manages the public
sector processes.
I have already answered that question, but I will make the observation—
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members of the opposition.
Mr Roger Cook: —that this government has
increased the funding to the Auditor General's office by 123% since we have
come into government. It was $24.1 million in 2016–17 versus $53.8
million in 2024–25. This contrasts with the experience of the OAG under
the previous Liberal–National government. Between 2011–12 and
2016–17, the OAG's budget was increased by just 7%.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition, you have
already asked the question. Let the Premier respond.
Mr Roger Cook: We are the party that respects
transparency, accountability and processes.
Several members
interjected.
Mr Roger Cook: Of course, our government discovered
the biggest single case of public sector fraud in the nation's history when we
came to government. The episode of Paul Whyte at the department of housing is a
shameful period of public sector management and accountability. Who did that
take place under? It took place under the watch—
Several members
interjected.
Mr Roger Cook: —or under the concocted
blindness of those members opposite when they were in government. Thank
goodness we now have a government that properly funds the Office of the Auditor
General, properly manages the state's finances and properly manages the public
sector processes.
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