❓ Question on Notice regarding the Public Trustee's fees and cross-subsidisation practices, following the Auditor General's report. The government acknowledges concerns and will review the fee-for-service model.
AnsweredQoN 637Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PUBLIC TRUSTEE — FEES
637. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the minister representing the
Treasurer:
I refer to the Auditor General's
report on the office of the Public Trustee.
(1) Was the Treasurer aware that the finances of
vulnerable Western Australians are used to cross-subsidise fees payable to the
Public Trustee by other vulnerable Western Australians prior to the Auditor
General's report?
(2) Will the government consider compensating Public
Trustee clients by retrospectively refunding the portion of the fees
that they were overcharged?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
637. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the minister representing the
Treasurer:
I refer to the Auditor General's
report on the office of the Public Trustee.
(1) Was the Treasurer aware that the finances of
vulnerable Western Australians are used to cross-subsidise fees payable to the
Public Trustee by other vulnerable Western Australians prior to the Auditor
General's report?
(2) Will the government consider compensating Public
Trustee clients by retrospectively refunding the portion of the fees
that they were overcharged?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The Treasurer has provided the following answer.
(1)–(3) In 2008, the state government, with agreement from
Treasury, made the decision to make the Public Trustee a self-funded
agency in line with other public trustees. As stated in the Auditor General's
report, Treasury acknowledges the findings and concerns raised in relation to
the Public Trustee's fees and self-funding model. Treasury has agreed to undertake a review of the Public Trustee's
fee-for-service model and provide advice to government for
consideration. Now is the time for Treasury to reassess this model and
determine whether the fee structure is still appropriate.
of the question. The Treasurer has provided the following answer.
(1)–(3) In 2008, the state government, with agreement from
Treasury, made the decision to make the Public Trustee a self-funded
agency in line with other public trustees. As stated in the Auditor General's
report, Treasury acknowledges the findings and concerns raised in relation to
the Public Trustee's fees and self-funding model. Treasury has agreed to undertake a review of the Public Trustee's
fee-for-service model and provide advice to government for
consideration. Now is the time for Treasury to reassess this model and
determine whether the fee structure is still appropriate.
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