The Nationals WA call on all Party’s to support the establishment of a fully independent Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) to provide real-time, accurate, and detailed costing advice to all Parties during the development of election policy commitments.
Leader of The Nationals WA Shane Love MLA said this assistance is currently unavailable to non-Government parties, forcing them to develop their own costings entirely before submitting them to Treasury for analysis, just days before an election.
“The PBO would be a game-changer for policy development, ensuring a non-partisan and transparent process that strengthens democracy.”
“This would be an independent Officer of Parliament, providing policy costing and financial advice to all Parties and Members of the Western Australian Parliament, something that has been missing for far too long,” Mr. Love said.
“Currently, only the Government of the day has access to key financial data, leaving the Opposition and other parties with extremely limited resources to properly develop and cost policies.”
“It seems no Government wants to properly resource the Opposition, though this culture of under-resourcing only disadvantages West Australians.”
“We should ensure a level playing field when shaping policy and determining spending priorities which impact the future of the State.”
Mr. Love said Treasury serves the Government of the day, leaving the Opposition and other parties hesitant to use its services to review costings, including Labor when it was in Opposition.
“In 2013 Mark McGowan called on the Liberal-National Government to take a bipartisan approach to restoring faith and confidence in the costing of election promises by supporting the establishment of a Parliamentary Budget Office. In Government Labor has failed to deliver this.”
Mr Love said a Parliamentary Budget Office would ensure all parties have access to the same financial advice and information, allowing for accurate spending and policy proposals.
“It will level the playing field and give the public greater confidence in the integrity of election commitments.”
Mr. Love said The Nationals were committed to improving transparency, accountability, and fairness in financial policymaking.
“This is about strengthening democracy. An independent PBO will enhance the Opposition’s ability to access key financial information, Mr. Love said.
“The Nationals have submitted our costings to Treasury, something Labor refused to do in Opposition. We have used the resources currently available to us, but the system must improve.
“For the first time, all West Australian’s have the opportunity to vote National, and we want them to know exactly what they’ll get from a Nationals team in Government.”
