❓ A parliamentary question scrutinizes the Treasurer regarding alleged duplicate procurement of RATs by WA Health and the Department of Finance during COVID-19, leading to significant costs and wasted resources. The Treasurer declined to answer, citing the involvement of the previous Treasurer.
AnsweredQoN 1447Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) I refer to the Auditor General's report titled Financial Audit Results - State Government 2021-22 - Part 2: COVID-19 Impacts which stated WA Health and the Department of Finance did not collaborate on the procurement of rapid antigen tests (RATs) and each conducted their own processes, and I ask: (a) on what date did you first become aware of an intention to order RATs by the Department of Health; and (b) on what date did you first become aware of an intention to order RATs by the Department of Finance? (2) why did you not act to prevent these duplicate procurement requests,
which resulted in a $580 million cost to WA taxpayers and a wasted
stockpile of tens of millions of RAT testing kits? (3) do you accept the findings of the Auditor General that there was no
methodology behind the what was considered enough tests and that your
Government purchased "too many tests, at great public cost"? (4) noting your comments to 6PR on 12 May 2023 that you "disagree with what
the report finds" do you support the findings and recommendations of the
Auditor General's report? (5) if no to (4), why not?
which resulted in a $580 million cost to WA taxpayers and a wasted
stockpile of tens of millions of RAT testing kits? (3) do you accept the findings of the Auditor General that there was no
methodology behind the what was considered enough tests and that your
Government purchased "too many tests, at great public cost"? (4) noting your comments to 6PR on 12 May 2023 that you "disagree with what
the report finds" do you support the findings and recommendations of the
Auditor General's report? (5) if no to (4), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 June 2023
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services representing the Treasurer
Response time
8 days
1-5. As these questions relate to the deliberations of the previous Treasurer, I am not in a position to provide a response.
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