❓ Mr. Miles asks the Treasurer for an update on the government's progress in containing expense growth. The Treasurer responds by highlighting efficiency gains and criticising the previous government's spending.
AnsweredQoN 326Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
STATE
FINANCES — EXPENSE GROWTH
326. Mr P.T. MILES to the
Treasurer:
Can the Treasurer
please update the house on the progress that the government is making on containing
expense growth?
FINANCES — EXPENSE GROWTH
326. Mr P.T. MILES to the
Treasurer:
Can the Treasurer
please update the house on the progress that the government is making on containing
expense growth?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member.
We have had a very interesting time here—well, it has been a trying
time on the Loan Bill—when we have had people opposite pretending they
are fiscal conservatives; indeed, ex-union bosses sitting opposite lecturing us
on why we give union members in the public sector high wages. Let us go to some
facts. When we came into government, the expenditure under the previous
government was running at a very high level; in fact, over the period it was
growing at 7.8 per cent and the wages bill was running at 12 per cent—easily
the highest ever. We have gone in and increased expenditure in certain areas,
such as child protection, mental health and disability services, but in other
areas we have achieved substantial efficiencies, particularly since 2013–14;
in fact, since the fiscal action plan, we have achieved —
Ms J.M. Freeman interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Mirrabooka, sorry to disturb you! I call you to order for
the first time. Member for Maylands and member for Willagee, sorry to disturb
you as well.
Dr M.D. NAHAN : Since 2013–14 and the fiscal action
plan, we have put in track $10.7 billion in efficiencies.
Several members
interjected.
Dr M.D. NAHAN : That is not a flop; $10.7 billion is not a
flop.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park!
Dr M.D. NAHAN : Since the last budget, we put in place $4.9
billion—improving, improving! In fact, if we had not done this and had
spent like the people opposite at the same rate, our deficit would be $4 billion
more. Really, does anybody in their right mind think these guys opposite
are the real fiscal conservatives? They were awash or overflowing with money.
In fact, if we had those revenue flows, we would be $6 billion better off,
which would be pretty good. But we are not resting on our laurels; we are
continuing the process —
Mr
B.S. Wyatt interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park!
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : We are continuing to do various types of things —
Mr
F.M. Logan interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Cockburn, I call you to order for the first time.
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : — like the agency efficiency review, which the Leader
of the Opposition does not have a clue about.
The
SPEAKER : You have one minute, Treasurer.
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : That is not an exercise in slashing and burning; it is looking
to drive world's best practice in the delivery of services to the
Western Australian public.
We have had a very interesting time here—well, it has been a trying
time on the Loan Bill—when we have had people opposite pretending they
are fiscal conservatives; indeed, ex-union bosses sitting opposite lecturing us
on why we give union members in the public sector high wages. Let us go to some
facts. When we came into government, the expenditure under the previous
government was running at a very high level; in fact, over the period it was
growing at 7.8 per cent and the wages bill was running at 12 per cent—easily
the highest ever. We have gone in and increased expenditure in certain areas,
such as child protection, mental health and disability services, but in other
areas we have achieved substantial efficiencies, particularly since 2013–14;
in fact, since the fiscal action plan, we have achieved —
Ms J.M. Freeman interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Mirrabooka, sorry to disturb you! I call you to order for
the first time. Member for Maylands and member for Willagee, sorry to disturb
you as well.
Dr M.D. NAHAN : Since 2013–14 and the fiscal action
plan, we have put in track $10.7 billion in efficiencies.
Several members
interjected.
Dr M.D. NAHAN : That is not a flop; $10.7 billion is not a
flop.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park!
Dr M.D. NAHAN : Since the last budget, we put in place $4.9
billion—improving, improving! In fact, if we had not done this and had
spent like the people opposite at the same rate, our deficit would be $4 billion
more. Really, does anybody in their right mind think these guys opposite
are the real fiscal conservatives? They were awash or overflowing with money.
In fact, if we had those revenue flows, we would be $6 billion better off,
which would be pretty good. But we are not resting on our laurels; we are
continuing the process —
Mr
B.S. Wyatt interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park!
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : We are continuing to do various types of things —
Mr
F.M. Logan interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Cockburn, I call you to order for the first time.
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : — like the agency efficiency review, which the Leader
of the Opposition does not have a clue about.
The
SPEAKER : You have one minute, Treasurer.
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : That is not an exercise in slashing and burning; it is looking
to drive world's best practice in the delivery of services to the
Western Australian public.
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