❓ Ms Sandra Brewer questions the Premier on the government's projected 3.6% reduction in general government expenses for 2027-28, following significant increases in previous years, implying a pattern of budgeting for cuts that never materialise. Premier Roger Cook deflects, challenging the opposition to specify their own proposed cuts and highlighting their inconsistent criticisms regarding spending and inflation.
AnsweredQoN 271Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
State budget 2026–27—General government expenses271.Ms Sandra Brewerto
thePremier:I refer to the
government's 3.6% forecast general government expenses reduction in 2027–28
despite the 11%, 6.7% and 6.9% increases in this budget for the three years
leading up.Why does the Premier's government budget to cut
back, but you never do?Mr Roger Cook replied:Mr
Speaker, the shadow Treasurer just has to detail what the Liberal Party and
Nationals WA, in government, are going to cut.Several members
interjected.The Speaker:Members!Mr Roger Cook:What we have from the shadow Treasurer
is this narrative around the inflationary impacts associated with our budget.Several members
interjected.The Speaker:Members of the opposition!Mr Roger Cook:We heard from the Leader of the
Opposition earlier today saying that there are too many fees and charges and so
it is not inflationary. We hear from the shadow Minister for Health saying that
we are not spending enough in health, but then we have the shadow Treasurer
saying that we should be cutting. The obligation is on the opposition to say to
the people of Western Australia where it is going to cut in terms of this
budget.
State budget 2026–27—General government expenses
271.Ms Sandra Brewerto
thePremier:
I refer to the
government's 3.6% forecast general government expenses reduction in 2027–28
despite the 11%, 6.7% and 6.9% increases in this budget for the three years
leading up.
Why does the Premier's government budget to cut
back, but you never do?
Mr Roger Cook replied:
Mr
Speaker, the shadow Treasurer just has to detail what the Liberal Party and
Nationals WA, in government, are going to cut.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker:Members!
Mr Roger Cook:What we have from the shadow Treasurer
is this narrative around the inflationary impacts associated with our budget.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker:Members of the opposition!
Mr Roger Cook:We heard from the Leader of the
Opposition earlier today saying that there are too many fees and charges and so
it is not inflationary. We hear from the shadow Minister for Health saying that
we are not spending enough in health, but then we have the shadow Treasurer
saying that we should be cutting. The obligation is on the opposition to say to
the people of Western Australia where it is going to cut in terms of this
budget.
thePremier:I refer to the
government's 3.6% forecast general government expenses reduction in 2027–28
despite the 11%, 6.7% and 6.9% increases in this budget for the three years
leading up.Why does the Premier's government budget to cut
back, but you never do?Mr Roger Cook replied:Mr
Speaker, the shadow Treasurer just has to detail what the Liberal Party and
Nationals WA, in government, are going to cut.Several members
interjected.The Speaker:Members!Mr Roger Cook:What we have from the shadow Treasurer
is this narrative around the inflationary impacts associated with our budget.Several members
interjected.The Speaker:Members of the opposition!Mr Roger Cook:We heard from the Leader of the
Opposition earlier today saying that there are too many fees and charges and so
it is not inflationary. We hear from the shadow Minister for Health saying that
we are not spending enough in health, but then we have the shadow Treasurer
saying that we should be cutting. The obligation is on the opposition to say to
the people of Western Australia where it is going to cut in terms of this
budget.
State budget 2026–27—General government expenses
271.Ms Sandra Brewerto
thePremier:
I refer to the
government's 3.6% forecast general government expenses reduction in 2027–28
despite the 11%, 6.7% and 6.9% increases in this budget for the three years
leading up.
Why does the Premier's government budget to cut
back, but you never do?
Mr Roger Cook replied:
Mr
Speaker, the shadow Treasurer just has to detail what the Liberal Party and
Nationals WA, in government, are going to cut.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker:Members!
Mr Roger Cook:What we have from the shadow Treasurer
is this narrative around the inflationary impacts associated with our budget.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker:Members of the opposition!
Mr Roger Cook:We heard from the Leader of the
Opposition earlier today saying that there are too many fees and charges and so
it is not inflationary. We hear from the shadow Minister for Health saying that
we are not spending enough in health, but then we have the shadow Treasurer
saying that we should be cutting. The obligation is on the opposition to say to
the people of Western Australia where it is going to cut in terms of this
budget.
AnswerView source ↗
Mr
Speaker, the shadow Treasurer just has to detail what the Liberal Party and
Nationals WA, in government, are going to cut.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Mr Roger Cook: What we have from the shadow Treasurer
is this narrative around the inflationary impacts associated with our budget.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members of the opposition!
Mr Roger Cook: We heard from the Leader of the
Opposition earlier today saying that there are too many fees and charges and so
it is not inflationary. We hear from the shadow Minister for Health saying that
we are not spending enough in health, but then we have the shadow Treasurer
saying that we should be cutting. The obligation is on the opposition to say to
the people of Western Australia where it is going to cut in terms of this
budget.
Speaker, the shadow Treasurer just has to detail what the Liberal Party and
Nationals WA, in government, are going to cut.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Mr Roger Cook: What we have from the shadow Treasurer
is this narrative around the inflationary impacts associated with our budget.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members of the opposition!
Mr Roger Cook: We heard from the Leader of the
Opposition earlier today saying that there are too many fees and charges and so
it is not inflationary. We hear from the shadow Minister for Health saying that
we are not spending enough in health, but then we have the shadow Treasurer
saying that we should be cutting. The obligation is on the opposition to say to
the people of Western Australia where it is going to cut in terms of this
budget.
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