❓ Question regarding consultancy contracts awarded for advice on the WA freight rail network and the Kalgoorlie Rail Realignment project. The Treasurer's answer defends the government's approach and highlights the previous government's role in the current situation.
AnsweredQoN 1642Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
The Report on Consultants Engaged by Government for the six months ending 31 December 2024 and 30 June 2025 confirms total payments of $1,122,299 to Ad Astra Corporate Advisory from the Department of Treasury for commercial advice to the Department of Transport for the WA freight rail network issue. Acknowledging the commercial sensitivities of the situation, can the Treasurer advise: (a) The process followed to engage Ad Astra Corporate Advisory on this consultancy; (b) Did other entities submit proposals and or were considered; (c) On what basis was Ad Astra Corporate Advisory considered the most suitable consultant for this initiative; (d) When is it expected that the consultancy will come to an end; (e) Are future payments to Ad Astra Corporate Advisory envisioned: (i) If so, how much approximately; (f) Has Ad Astra Corporate Advisory met with Government to provide advice on this initiative: (i) If so, how many times, when and with who; and (ii) If not, why not; (g) Why has the consultancy been managed by Treasury for the delivery of the services in a separate Department (Transport): (i) Does this arrangement pose any challenges for how the consultancy is managed; and (ii) What systems and processes have been put in place to manage the administrative and practical implications of such an arrangement; (h) Is the Treasurer aware of the engagement of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu by the Department of Regional Development for an amount of $927,767 for a business case on the Kalgoorlie Rail Realignment project which includes consideration of future regional rail freight demand, supply chains and associated issues ; (i) If so, is there any alignment with the work being undertaken by Ad Astra Corporate Advisory consultancy ; and (j) What systems and processes have been put in place to ensure congruence between the Ad Astra and Deloitte consultancies?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 February 2026
Response time
1 days
(a)-(j) Consistent with our January 2025 announcement, the Cook Labor Government has established a dedicated project team to negotiate bringing the State’s freight rail network back under public control, because Western Australians are still paying the price for past decisions that stripped the State of control over a critical economic asset. This work is about fixing those mistakes, protecting supply chains, and backing jobs and industry across the State.
The 2025-26 State Budget includes $8.3 million to resource the project properly through a dedicated internal team with external specialist advice.
Ad Astra Corporate Advisory has been engaged through the Department of Treasury and Finance’s Commercial and Economic Advisory Services panel to provide detailed financial and commercial analysis on the WA freight rail network lease and to advise on the commercial options available to the State. Ad Astra was appointed following a competitive process involving other panel members and was assessed as providing the best overall value for money, noting its experience advising on complex government transactions.
This Government is committed to pursuing the public interest, but will only proceed where it is economically and financially responsible.
Deloitte’s work for the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission relates to a distinct project. DTMI and the PTA have been represented on that project’s Steering Committee, and its outcomes will be available for Government to consider in the context of the freight rail negotiations, to the extent relevant.
Western Australia’s freight rail network is in this position for one reason: the former Liberal National Government gave away control of a critical piece of economic infrastructure and left Western Australians to wear the consequences.
The 2025-26 State Budget includes $8.3 million to resource the project properly through a dedicated internal team with external specialist advice.
Ad Astra Corporate Advisory has been engaged through the Department of Treasury and Finance’s Commercial and Economic Advisory Services panel to provide detailed financial and commercial analysis on the WA freight rail network lease and to advise on the commercial options available to the State. Ad Astra was appointed following a competitive process involving other panel members and was assessed as providing the best overall value for money, noting its experience advising on complex government transactions.
This Government is committed to pursuing the public interest, but will only proceed where it is economically and financially responsible.
Deloitte’s work for the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission relates to a distinct project. DTMI and the PTA have been represented on that project’s Steering Committee, and its outcomes will be available for Government to consider in the context of the freight rail negotiations, to the extent relevant.
Western Australia’s freight rail network is in this position for one reason: the former Liberal National Government gave away control of a critical piece of economic infrastructure and left Western Australians to wear the consequences.
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