___________________________

At the 2008 election the Liberal Party made a commit to ‘transform RPH into a 400-bed trauma facility with a new emergency department and a new west wing’ and to introduce a Bill to protect RPH.  

In the first term of the Liberal Government they failed to pass the Bill or commence the upgrades to RPH though some money had been allocated.

In 2010 the Minister for Health issued a press statement stating the following:

Planning for the redevelopment of Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) to become a major 400-bed tertiary hospital in underway’. 

The State Government is full-steam ahead in planning the redevelopment of RPH and it is important to remembers that we always said this was a project for our second term of Government.’ 28 May 2010 

During the 2013 election the Liberal Government reiterated their commitment to redevelop RPH.   

In 2013/14 State Budget money was provided to commence the redevelopment of RPH.  However in the December 2013-14 Government Mid-year Review all the money for the construction costs of the redevelopment projects for Royal Perth Hospital and Graylands Hospital were removed as part of the Governments review of Asset Expenditure. Mid-year Review, p110 

The Liberal Government has retained $8 million to commence planning but no money has been allocated for the redevelopment over the next 4 years. 

WA Labor has now introduced a Bill to protect Royal Perth Hospital into the WA Parliament.

The Liberal Government's poor economic management and poor priorities can be attributed to this broken promise, with Transport Minister Dean Nalder stating "Our thinking at this stage is that we can defer the C-series until we get out of this current economic cycle, as long as we can put more onto the end of the B-series (order)."

The Liberal Government has previously experienced problems after failing to order new rail cars in a timely manner with massive overcrowding experienced in 2011 and 2012.

Public transport expert Professor Peter Newman said the Government was failing to ease congestion for train travellers, saying "They are nowhere near keeping pace".

The RAC has advocated for better planning and increased rail cars ""Since 2012, RAC has continually called for the purchase of new rolling stock to enable trains to move at closer headways, increasing the frequency of services and providing additional capacity to reduce over-crowding on existing train lines," RAC general manager corporate affairs Will Golsby said.

This commitment was repeated in 2012, with Troy Buswell telling the Sunday Times, “We are in heavy planning now to push that railway line further north to Yanchep. That planning work is happening and conversations are ongoing between the Government and landowners in that area”. Sunday Times 5 August 2012

However, following the 2013 state election Director-General of Transport Reece Waldock revealed that the delivery date for the Yanchep extension had been pushed back beyond 2021, signalling it was no longer a priority project. The West Australian, 8 November 2013

This was reinforced in August 2014 when new Transport Minister Dean Nalder admitted that the Yanchep extension would not be considered until MAX light rail was completed in 2022. West Australian, 18 August 2014

Attorney-General and member for North Metropolitan region Michael Mischin has speculated that the extension may be “over 20 years away”. North Coast Times Community, 10 February 2015

In 2012, the Liberals re-promised to deliver a scaled down version of the Albany pipeline, telling the people of Albany that a tender would be awarded in the middle of the next year with construction to begin in 2014, meaning completion in 2015. This commitment was reaffirmed in the Liberals’ Regional Development Policy.

However towards the end of 2013, with no tender in sight, the Premier admitted to Parliament there were significant difficulties in getting the project up and running.

At the 2011 Budget, Troy Buswell made a pledge to increase bus services by 30% by 2015-16. He claimed at the time,

“Combined with an increase in the number of vehicles, the additional service kilometres will enable buses to be more frequent and more accessible, with more routes and services into new and rapidly-developing urban areas.” Biggest Bus Service Boost- Government Media Statement 23 May 2011

However, it was revealed in Parliamentary estimates this year that that target has been both delayed and reduced.

In the 2015 Budget speech the Treasurer confirmed  that:

 “In line with our announcement at last year’s Budget, we will continue to pursue the sale of the TAB”.

Numerous industry figures from other states have warned of the consequences of privatising state-owned bookmakers on government finances and local racing industry jobs. 

Robert Roulston the chairmen of the Victoria’s peak thoroughbred racing body was reported in The West Australians as being the latest interstate industry figure to warn WA against privatising the TAB. The West Australian 7 February 2015

In 2012, Colin Barnett made the following commitment in Parliament

“Can I categorically say that if this government is re-elected, there will not be privatisation of Fremantle Ports”.  P6 Hansard 20 June 2012

However in the 2015-16 Budget, it was revealed that Colin Barnett had broken his promise and that the Liberal Government was putting Fremantle Port up for sale.  

Following advocacy from Albany MLA Peter Watson, an inquiry was launched into the response of government agencies to allegations of sexual abuse at St. Andrews Hostel to be headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Peter Blaxell.

The report by Judge Blaxell made several recommendations, including one for a one-stop-shop for reporting of abuse.

Colin Barnett accepted all of the recommendations of the report and in Parliament committed the government to implement them “promptly”.

He repeated the claims in subsequent days stating “I’m saying I’m not going to be a Premier that is going to plan on budget deficits”, and “When we draft budgets we will not be drafting budgets with deficits.”

However in the 2014-15 Mid-Year Review it emerged that WA was on track for two deficits; one in the current year of 14-15 and another in 15-16.

In the WA Government 2015-2016 Budget the following deficits were confirmed:

2014-15: $1.28 billion deficit

2015-16: $2.7 billion deficit

2016- 17: $1.14 billion deficit

WA Government 2015-16 Budget Paper No. 3 p3 

The aim of the program was to increase the number of social enterprises that were operating in WA.

After a successful first round, the program was placed on hold as it was reviewed by consulting firm KPMG along with the Social Innovation Grants project.

Media at the time reported many applicants who were working with the program to develop their business plans were left waiting for months to hear whether or not the money attached to the second round of applications would be forthcoming.  Sunday Times 3 November 2013

However in the 15-16 Budget, it was revealed that the remaining unspent funds from the Social Enterprise fund were returned to the Government. p630 2015-16 Budget Paper 2

The purpose of the program was to enable not-for-profit organisations to develop and trial new ways of delivering human services that produce better outcomes for Western Australians in need.

The program was funded with $2 million in the initial year with $4 million in subsequent years until 2015-16. MMS 21 January 2011

However the 2013-14 Budget revealed that this funding had been stripped from the out years. Subsequent media reports revealed that the department was conducting a review to determine the future of the program.

In the 2015-16 Budget it emerged that the Department had handed back money to Treasury that would no longer be spent on the grants.  p630 2015-16 Budget Paper 2

The funding shortfall of $41.61 million over 4 years is detailed in the WA State Government budget papers.  The allocations for 2015-16 and 2016-17 were confirmed at a recent Parliamentary Estimates hearing on 10 June 2015. 

Budget

The commitment to maintain the funding at $20 million per annum was detailed in the Liberals' Sport and Recreation Policy.

If re-elected the Liberals will: Maintain funding to the Community Sport and Recreation Facilities Fund at $20 million per annum. P4  The Liberals' Sport and Recreation Policy 

When the station was announced in 2012, it was reported that the works would start the following year.  ABC New 5 August 2012

Following the election, billboards announcing a 2016 opening date appeared on the freeway and side roads.  These have now being removed and replaced with billboards with no date.  

In the 2015-16 State Government Budget the funding for the station was pushed out with the final amounts not appearing until the 2017/18 financial year. 

The PFL was announced as part of the Abbott Government's Federal budget.  In the same budget $500million was stripped from urban rail priorities in the WA.                             

Gareth Parker in Inside State in the West Australian notes the following:

The Government says any user charge will be less than the benefit that the trucking industry receives in terms of time, fuel, maintenance and safety standards, but the devil - as always - is in the detail. 

As usual the Government has refused to release the assumptions underpinning its business case, citing commercial sensitivities.

He then goes on to conclude

So we left with no choice but to treat the Government's 2.8-1 cost benefit ratio with scepticism.  West Australian p61  

UPDATE

Discussing future infrastructure plans for WA, Transport Minister Dean Nalder has flagged more toll roads in the future for WA. When asked about tolls for every-day drivers, not just the heavy vehicles subject to the Perth Freight link charge he responded that tolls were “one of the elements that had to be debated in the future.” 

Sign the petition against Barnett's toll roads in WA here

This is clear contradiction to his previous commitments and those by Tony Simpson the local member of Parliament for the Darling Range. Mr Simpson was forced to issue a press statement during the election campaign to clarify the Liberal Party's position in relation to this matter.

‘I recently made some remarks at a local forum that the Liberal Party supported forced amalgamations, I got it wrong, it was my mistake. I apologise for the confusion this has created.'

The Premier also repeated his commitment not to force amalgamations of local governments in a Residents' Newsletter in his own electorate in the summer of 2013.

I have always believed that a combined council covering Claremont, Cottesloe, Mosman Park and Peppermint Grove makes sense, however claims that the State Government will use its powers to force such amalgamations are simply not true.

At the press conference announcing the decision the Premier denied he was forcing council mergers but councils will not have any avenue to debate the new boundaries.  He also announced that the Dadour provisions, which allowed councils to protest against forced mergers would also be abolished.   

Kevin Morgan, the Major of Cottesloe described it as ‘electoral fraud and a ‘very sad day for democracy in this state'. (The West Australian online 30 July 2013)

Update 24/10/2015

The Barnett Government released the new boundaries for local government on the 22 October 2014.  There will be 3 different processes used to create the new councils. 

1.       Boundary changes

2.       Amalgamations

3.       Legislation

Only residents living in those councils that are being created through the amalgamation process will have the opportunity to vote on whether they support the amalgamation process.  This affects Fremantle, North Fremantle, Cockburn, Kwinana, South Perth and Victoria Park. 

Those residents living in other council areas where the process is being done through boundary changes will have no opportunity to vote on whether they accept the boundary changes.  This affects residents in Bayswater, Bassendean, Mundaring, Swan, Belmont, Kalamunda, Gosnells, Canning, Armadale, Murray, Serpentine Jarrahdale, Cambridge, Subiaco and parts of Stirling,

In the third scenario a new city of Perth formed through the amalgamation of Perth and Vincent will be created by legislation.  This will provide no opportunity for the local residents to have a say in this process. 

No explanation has been provided in relation to the different approaches being taken.

Below is an extract from Inside State ‘So much pain for no clear gain’ published in the West Australian on 23/10/14.

Somehow, residents of Fremantle and East Fremantle or South Perth and Victoria Park will be allowed to vote on their council merger, whereas residents in Subiaco and Cambridge, Canning and Gosnells, or Belmont and Kalamunda will not. In each case, the net effect is the same — two councils become one — but the process is entirely different.

Why? Local Government Minister Tony Simpson was utterly unable to explain that yesterday. He tried to pin it on the Local Government Advisory Board, saying he was empowered only to accept or reject its recommendations. The real reason appears to be base politics: the Government has given votes to the ratepayers it thinks will go for mergers, and has removed the option for ratepayers it thinks will not.  P19 West Australian 23/10/14

An overview of the Government decision is available here.

Update 14/07/2015

Following the rejection of 3 amalgamation votes in the councils that were eligible for them, the forced amalgamations through boundary changes were called off.

The only remaining proposed change is to the boundaries of the City of Perth concerning QEII and UWA, subject to the passing of the City of Perth Act which is currently before Parliament.

The final cost of the failed reform process is estimated to be approximately $40 million, half of which was borne by the councils themselves. 

Finally, there are provisions for regulations to prohibit certain fees and charges being recouped from residents, such as certain legal costs, that do not relate to the operation of a village.  Second Reading Speech 14/8/12

During the debate in Parliament the Minister further elaborated on the fees and charges this could relate to. 

The sorts of costs that we intend to prohibit from being passed on to residents under this provision are basically costs that are not related directly to the operation of a village. Those costs would include certain administering body legal costs, such as costs awarded against an operator by the State Administrative Tribunal or other courts. Other possible examples include fees for membership of industrial or professional associations, and travel costs. These are discretionary costs that the operator can recoup through other means, such as tax returns or whatever. They are certainly not the sorts of costs that should be passed on to residents. Second Reading Speech resumed p20

When the Act and Regulations were proclaimed in April 2014 it was revealed that contrary to these assurances, that Regulation 11 (o)(3) permits the owners of the retirement village to pass on 50% of certain costs not directly related to the running of the village on to residents.  These include costs associated with accreditation and membership of an industry body.  

WA Labor sought to disallow the regulation in Parliament.  A Disallowance Motion was debated on the 24 September 2014.  In speaking to the disallowance motion the Hon Kate Doust highlighted the following issues: 

• The additional cost are not directly related to the operation of the village
• That there is no cap on the charges so the final figure is not known and can change
• The Barnett Government had made a commitment that this would not occur.

However all of the members of the Liberal/National Government voted against the disallowance motion, allowing the regulation to remain.  

The failure to fund the commitment was outlined in the West Australian in an analysis of the Barnett Government election promises. 

The reality: Night court abandoned amid lack of demand and just $2.7m over 3 years for Sunday courts. 

Dr Drum: Night court is looking like a media stunt.  I would have thought you'd get feedback from the judiciary before promising it. p4   West Australian 9/6/14 

Stirling mayor Giovanni Italiano said he was "terribly disappointed" the Government had decided not to relocate the department to Stirling as part of a bigger plan to move public servants to the suburbs.  Weekend West 17/5/14

The decentralisation of offices was a key component of growing strong regional centres in 'Directions 2031 and Beyond' http://www.planning.wa.gov.au/publications/826.asp

The Barnett Government was to relocate 80,000sqm of government office space in total, including moving the Department of Commerce to Stirling, the Department of Housing to Fremantle, key divisions of WA Police to Murdoch and 600 public servants to Joondalup.

However, in Parliament Finance Minister Dean Nalder refused to guarantee the plan for other regional centres would proceed:

The schools that will lose all of their funding include Wyndham DHS ($2m), Gingin DHS ($3m), Boddington DHS ($1.5m), Yanchep DHS ($10.5m), Toodyay DHS ($500,000), York DHS ($750,000). Of the $1.5m announced for Jurien Bay it is understood that only approx $250,000 will be honoured.

The scope of works for the intended upgrades is detailed in the Ministerial Media Statement 29 November 2012.

The money was cut as part of the State Government Asset Investment Review Program so will have particular impact on the capital works program of the Northern West Health Initiative. 

The detail of the Northern Health Initiative was outlined in the article in the Farm Weekly. P7 15 August 2013.  

14/15 State Government Budget Update

The 14/15 State Government Budget has detailed the expenditure over the next 4 years.  Only $126 million of the original $161 million has been allocated a cut of $35 million.  P211 Budget Paper 3 

15/16 State Government Budget Update

In the 15/16 State Budget, it was revealed that for the second year in a row, the North West Health Initiative has been delayed. Despite initial plans for funding to begin in 2013-14 no money has been spent to date. 

The program had been welcomed by the Shire of Broome and the Shire of Derby Presidents.  Broome Advertiser p14

When announcing the policy the Minister for Regional Development Brendon Grylls stated the following:

• 'Transitional housing helps to remove a key barrier to employment and provides the stability required for participants to engage in employment, education and training.  Families have the opportunity to purchase the house they are renting, which provides a strong incentive to stay employed and meet other requirements, such as ensuring their kids attend school.' Ministerial Media Statement 21 August  2013

Originally promised and funded in the 2010 State Budget and due to be completed by 2014, the promised Cockburn Police Hub has been pushed out to 2016-17.  2013-14 Budget Paper No.2 Volume 2 p 490

The Police Union has identified this is one of the top 2 stations in WA that need replacing. 

WA Police Union president George Tilbury said Cockburn Central Police Station was second on the union’s list of stations that need replacing, behind Mundijong’s. “This (current) station was built in 1962, is not fit-for-purpose and as such, needs to be replaced as soon as possible,” he said. “We encourage the Government to assess its building infrastructure plan to ensure this station is upgraded as a matter of priority.”p3 Cockburn Gazette

During the State election campaign the local member for Jandakot Joe Francis wrote to local constituents indicating that the Barnett Government had commenced construction on the new Cockburn Central Police Station.  Joe Francis Letter to constituents 21 November 2012

The Police Minister Liza Harvey has confirmed that no money has been spent on the station.

Growth Pans have been development in each SuperTown with more than $464 million in funding required for priority projects.  The priority projects have been identified by the local community.  Only $78 million of funding has been made available in the first instance.

The Growth Plans were endorsed by the Barnett Government as part of the plan to cater for the predicted population expansion and economic growth in WA in future years.    

The Country Local Government Fund to which they had to apply for funding after the initial $78 million allocation, was abolished in the 2013/14 State Government Budget.  P225 Budget Paper  The only other source of funding to which they can apply together with all other regional communities is the ‘Strategic Regional Projects’.  The funding to this body has been significantly cut over the next 4 years decreasing to just $13.3 million in 2016/17.  P153 MYR

The vision for the program was articulated by the Premier Colin Barnett and the Minister for Regional Development Brendon Grylls in the Forward of a number of the growth plans including the Katanning Growth and Implementation Plan. 

The State’s population is set to double over the next 40 years to almost 4.5 million people. We want to ensure regional areas can accommodate some of this population growth to ease pressure on metropolitan Perth and create strong, vibrant regional communities.

This decision affects District Hospitals in Collie ($8.6m), Katanning ($35m), Merredin ($18.08m), Narrogin ($39.86m), Northam ($31m) and Warren District – Manjimup ($14.86m).  A combined total of $147.4m was pledged to upgrade these hospitals in 2011.  P1 Merredin- Wheatbelt Mercury 25/5/2011

It will also have an impact on the timing of planned upgrades to smaller hospital and nursing posts throughout the affected regions.  The SIHI goes as far north as Meekatharra, east of Laverton and takes in the entire southwest region.  Refer to the map of the SIHI.  

News of the delays was recently reported in a range of regional newspapers. 

When making the commitment to upgrade the highway the Premier Colin Barnett made the following comments:

‘A Liberal Government will address this chronic neglect of safety on this important highway.’ The Liberals’ Transport Policy p13

Concerns about the impact that would have on driver safety were recently reported in the Kalgoorlie Miner.  P1 Kalgoorlie Miner 27/12/2013

During the election campaign the promise was promoted by the Liberal Party as being ‘Fully funded, Fully costed’. 

In the August 2013 budget the completion date was pushed out one year to 2019.  Just one month later Colin Barnett foreshadowed the further delay of the project by up to two years.

Local roads covered by this agreement comprise 72% of all roads in the State. 

The funding was removed in the Mid-year Review (MYR) of the State’s finances and occurred without the agreement of local governments and is in breach of the terms of the State Roads Funds to Local Government Agreement 2011/12-2015-16.  This Agreement was signed by both the Premier Colin Barnett and the Treasurer Troy Buswell.

The project hit delays in the following years with cost blowouts and heritage approvals, before finally in 2013, a revised plan was agreed to and $42 million guaranteed in the budget. Construction was to begin in 2014-15.

However in the 2013-14 Mid-Year Review, the project was cancelled as part of the Government's Asset Review program and the money stripped out. P116

When making the announcement in December 2012 the Transport Minister Troy Buswell said ‘the investment would fundamentally change the way the traffic flows in the northern suburbs.  He said construction would start on the freeway extension in 2014-15 and be finished by 2016-17’. Sunday Times 2 December 2012

The existing Ellenbrook Secondary College is on a very constrained site. The projected enrolment is expected to increase from 1,490 in 2014 to 2,137 by 2017.

As a result of the failure of the Barnett Government to build the new school within the promised timeframes, Ellenbrook Secondary College will be forced to operate with 29 demountable classrooms by 2017.  

The local community is now petitioning the Government to have this decision reversed.  

UPDATE

The $10.5m upgrade that was promised is now off the table. In May 2015 the Government announced that the upgrade was to be scrapped in favour of an entirely new school to be built by 2019. However the local community has responded angrily to this plan, stating that the current high school was in need of major works now.

In June 2015, a $1m renovation was announced for minor works, carpet replacement and IT needs

The commitment to keep the rail lines appeared in front page advertisement in a number of regional papers. The pledge appeared with a photograph of the Premier Colin Barnett.  Farm Weekly 7 March 2013 p1

The announcement of the closure of the tier 3 lines by the Barnett Government will result in between 57,000 and 85,000 extra truck movements on dangerous Wheatbelt roads and roads in the Perth metropolitan area.  Hills Gazette 12 October 2013 p1

The decision has met with strong opposition from the WAFarmers President Dale Park who described the Premiers use of the word ‘viable’ as a weasel word.  Countryman 10 October 2013 p22

‘CBH, which carts the grain on the lines, and Brookfield Rail, which leases the lines from the Government, regard them as viable. ‘Countryman 10 October 2013 p22

CBH has invested in new locomotives and wagons as part of their commitment to keep the lines open.  Government which owns the lines is responsible for maintenance on them. 

The WA Local Government Association has opposed the decision, concerned that it will exacerbate the existing safety concerns.  WALGA president Troy Pickard said the ‘association’s position was that freight should be carried on rail where possible’. Hills Gazette 12 October 2013 p1

A commitment to keep the rail lines open was also made by the National Party. 

‘All lines currently in use remain open and maintained to a standard that allows CBH/Watco to use them’.  Recommendation 3 of the Nationals Position Statement

There has been strong criticism of both the Liberals and Nationals in relation to this issue. The following comment appeared in the editorial of the West Australia on 7 October 2013.

‘The grain freight rail issue does not look too good either for the Liberal Party’s partners, the Nationals, who are only too happy to call themselves the real party of the bush.’  P18

In October 2014 the contract documents between the State Government and Brookfield detailing the lease arrangements over the grain freight network were tabled at a Parliamentary committee hearing. It was revealed for the first time that the Public Transport Authority (PTA) that is responsible for managing the rail network lease was entitled to 15% of profits Brookfield make on the tier 1 and 2 lines.

Further to this revelation the West Australian reported that correspondence leaked to them revealed that the Barnett Government as early as 2010, had ticked off on the closure of the Tier 3 rail lines. This is despite front page adverts running prior to the 2012 election by Colin Barnett and the Liberal Party announcing that viable tier 3 lines would remain open.

"A parliamentary committee tabled all of the correspondence between Brookfield chief executive Paul Larsen and Mr O'Brien with the exception of the crucial last letter in the chain.

A copy of the letter leaked to WestBusiness reveals the Government agreed to reduce performance standards set out in the original rail lease. It also ticks off on the closure of lines known as Tier 3 on a mutually agreed date.

Farmers and rural communities said they were struggling to reconcile this week's revelations about secret deals tied to the closure of Tier 3 lines on June 30 with front-page advertisements in local newspapers days before the last State election. In advertisements featuring Premier Colin Barnett, the Liberal Party said it would keep viable Tier 3 lines open and provide funds to maintain them."

Weekend West 25/10/2104

CITY of South Perth Mayor Sue Doherty has hit out at the State Government for not providing funds to replace walls along the Swan River as promised in the lead-up to the election in March.  “The State Government had agreed and has now failed to provide the funding.” 

South Perth MLA John McGrath said he was disappointed the funding was not made available in the State Budget. “Not only are the river walls in urgent need of replacement but it was an election commitment I made to the people of South Perth,” he said.

UPDATE

Funding has now been released by the State Government to help fix the river wall. $1m has now been committed by the Government with the rest being provided by the local council. However it is still short of the original election promise of $1.35m

In a recent letter to parents from the Minister for Education, Peter Collier, he described the cuts as part of an ongoing reform in education and a necessary step to the introduction of a new funding model. 

However contrary to the Minister’s assertions, the cuts and the new model are two separate things.

The cuts will occur in 2014, a year before the new funding model is implemented and will have an immediate impact on the capacity for schools to deliver a quality education to WA students. 

The architect of the school funding model, Professor Richard Teese, has raised concerns that schools would struggle to introduce the planned reforms if jobs and resources were slashed at the same time as the new model was introduced. 

Professor Teese yesterday questioned whether schools would be able to switch to new funding model if resources were cut.  “The questions I’ve got is whether introducing these savings measures at the same time as bringing in a substantial change in the funding formula is a good idea,” he said. -  West Australian 28 August 2013 p19

The specifics of the cuts are detailed in the attached document but include job cuts which include teacher positions, programs to support literacy and numeracy and children with special needs and money for schools to buy supplies.  ‘Summary of Barnett’s savage cuts to public education’

In addition to this each school will be required to pay a levy for each staff member to cover the government’s liability for long service leave. The levy is $600 per teacher and $400 per other staff member per year.

The Premier Colin Barnett has indicated that schools should use their cash reserves to fund any shortfalls. - Weekend West 31 August 2013 p36

In most instances the cash reverses are earmarked for capital works and the replacement of equipment such as school buses, computers and equipment in teaching environments such as science labs.  It is a requirement of the Education Department that schools maintain these reserves. - Extract Education Department Financial Management Manual

Unlike the Gonski funding reforms to education by the Federal Government there isn’t a commitment from the Barnett Government that no school will be worse off under the new funding model.  In fact every school will be worse off as a result of these cuts.  

Update: Following the original announcement of cuts to schools, detailed information provide to Parliament revealed that schools would lose $158 million.  Education and Health Standing Committee and Legislative Council C828

In the 2013-14 Mid-year review, a further $25 million was cut from the education budget. P113 2013-14 Government Mid-year Financial Projections Statement (MYR)

The total cuts to school are in the order of $183 million in 2014.  

When announcing the funding in December Transport Minister Troy Buswell said that it would mark the end of the “big three”. - Bullsbrook Ellenbrook Advocate 12 December 2012 p 4

The RAC has identified the intersection as being one of the State’s worst, with 238 crashes between 2007 and 2011. 

The decision has angered residents and business people. - Eastern Suburbs Reporter p 1 

Update 5 March 2014: Information provided to the Estimates and Financial Operations Committee as part of the 2013-14 Mid-Year review process has revealed that the overpass has been delayed by a further year and will not be built until 2019.  

Update 27 July 2015: The Transport Minister has told Parliament that the work will now be completed in early 2016. While the date has been brought forward, it is still later than the originally promised completion date of 2014-15.  

In a press release issued by the Treasurer Troy Buswell and the Minster for Regional Development Brendon Grylls the following statement was made.

‘Royalties for Regions returns the equivalent of 25 per cent of mining and onshore petroleum royalties to regional WA through investment in infrastructure and services’.

- Ministerial Media Statement 8 August 2013

However, RFR money will now be used to fund the operations of the Department of Regional Development and the nine Regional Development Commissions. This will cost $51 million in 2013-14 and in excess of $200 million over the next 4 years.  Budget Paper 3 p224

In addition to this around $1billion of Royalties for Regions funding will be diverted to the Future Fund which will be spent on projects in both regional WA and the metropolitan area. The Future fund was announced in the 2012-13 State Budget. 

75,000 costumers were affected by the decision of the Barnett Government to halve the amount of money that they would pay to customers who had signed a contract for the Residential Net Feed-in Tariff subsidy. Customer had been promised 40 cents per unit for a period of 10 years.   

Western Australians signed up to the feed-in tariff scheme in good faith and Synergy wrote to participants assuring them that the scheme would remain in place for the next 10 years. Important information regarding the Residential Net Feed-in Tariff subsidy – Synergy

When announcing the decision the Barnett Government said that they had obtained legal advice that indicated they had the capacity to change the terms of the contract. However, information contained in the Ministerial provided to the Minister for Energy Mike Nahan from the Department of Finance contradicted this.  

In the Ministerial a number of issues were raised including:

The reduction in the Scheme rate is likely to result in significant public criticism. Additionally, the State Solicitor’s Office has identified legal risks associated with reducing the Scheme rate. Ministerial Feed-in Tariff Scheme Changes

Four days later the Barnett Government reversed its decision.

Funding had been provided in 2012 to start work on the concept design.  The concept design work was due to be completed by March 2013. - Ministerial Media Statement 7 August 2012

Recently it was revealed that in the West Australian that the Government had intended to reannounce the commitment in February 2013 and had commissioned the production of video animation and artists impressions.  At the last minute the announcement was pulled. - The West Australian 24 August 2013 p 1

During the Budget reply speech by the Leader of the Opposition Mark McGowan in State Parliament on 14 August when the lack of funding for Ellenbrook was raised, the Premier Colin Barnet interjected and said ‘they should have voted for (Liberal, West Swan candidate) Natasha Cheung ‘. - The West Australian 24 August 2013 p 1

This broken promise to the people of Ellenbrook follows on from a broken promise made by the Barnett Government in the 2008 State election to build a railway line to Ellenbrook.  

When the budget handed down only $1 million was allocated for 2013/14 and nothing in the next 3 years. (Budget Paper No 3, p 164)

Update: 15/04/2014

Not only has the Barnett Government failed to fund the program they have also significantly changed the eligibility criteria. 

From 1 January 2014, WA Seniors Card holders can only claim:

• Up to $200 for a Personal Safety Device

• Up to $200 to upgrade or replace security if you have received the previous security rebate and then experienced a break-in from 1 January 2014.

Safety and Security Rebate Claim Form

If you have not claimed to have your household security replaced or upgraded in the past you are no longer eligible to apply for anything other than a personal safety device.  

Only those people who have already received a rebate to upgrade their home security can apply for a further rebate if they are broken into. 

14/15 State Government Budget Update

The Budget papers reveal that nothing was spent in 2013/14 for this scheme but that $1m has been allocated for each year over the next 3 years well short of the $15m promised. 

15/16 State Government Budget Update

The 15/16 budget revealed that the program has now been axed entirely. The program has ceased in the 14/15 financial year with the remaining money redirected to other programs.  

They have delivered on a promise to increase the payroll tax threshold but this will only delver a $121 million saving as compared the revenue that they will earn through the land tax increase. 

A $121 million payroll tax cut for business, promised during this year’s State election campaign, is swamped by other revenue measures. Mr Buswell’s plan features several revenue slugs including a 12.5 per cent increase in the rate of land tax paid by 112,000 WA business and investment property owners, which will raise an extra $338 million over the next four years.

- The West Australian 9 August 2013

This is in direct contrast to their ‘The Liberals’ for Small Business Policy’ where they state that they are ‘committed to lifting the tax burden on Western Australian businesses to free up funds that can be better used to invest, expand, employ and innovate’. P3  The Liberals’ Small Business Policy

UPDATE

Since the promise was broken in 2013, land taxes have been raised twice more, in 2014 and 2015.

In 2014, land tax was raised by 10% to net the government an extra $334m over the forward estimates.

In 2015, the land tax scale was amended to add a new flat dollar amount to previously exempt land, adjust thresholds and increase rates. The amendment is expect to deliver an extra $826m over the forward estimates 

In the 2013-14 State Budget the bridge was not included and no money has been provided to commence the construction in 2015.  

UPDATE

In the 15-16 State Budget, money was finally made available to construct the bridge. However work will now commence in 2016 to be completed in 2017, later than was originally promised.

The commitment was widely circulated within the local community and list in an election promises on page 4 of the South Western Times on 7 March 2013.

When the 2013-14 Budget was released no funding was provided for the new classrooms.

UPDATE

As at the 2015-16 Budget, there is still no funding for the new classrooms promised for Collie Senior High School, as was reported in the Collie Mail.  

When announcing the decision to implement the findings of the Teese Report that Barnett Government has announced that 500 jobs would be abolished.  Of these, 350 will be education assistants who support children with special needs and 150 workers from regional and central office.  There will also be a freeze on hiring teachers.

The new system is based on the findings of the Teese Report.  The Teese report was concluded in February 2012 but was not released until 3 August 2013, after the State election. 

This announcement has come despite public comments by the Minster on 16 August 2013 on the Paul Murray show on 6PR radio ruling out cuts.   

Paul Murray – ‘So are you telling me there will not be voluntary or involuntary redundancies in your portfolio in this term of government?’

Peter Collier – ‘Well there is absolutely no allocation for it whatsoever and we have got no indication and we’ve got no desire, we’ve got no intent to move down that path Paul’. West Australian online story

It is also in stark contrast to the commitments made by Colin Barnett prior to the election making it clear ‘that there are no cuts, proposed or planned, for staffing within the public sector—none at all’.  Parliamentary Hansard 27 September 2012 

It also comes on top of an announcement by the Premier on 13 June 2013 abolishing a further 1,200 public sector positions. See details of this in ‘Public Sector Jobs’.   

Further, on 7 August 2013, the day before the State Budget was handed down, Colin Barnett was asked by Geoff Hutchinson on ABC radio whether there would be any more job cuts in the 2013-14 Budget.  The Premier replied no. 

It has been confirmed that the 500 jobs going in education are on top of the 1,200 positions, clearly contradicting the Premiers comments just 13 days earlier.   

It should also be noted that the Teese report itself does not recommend the abolition of these positions.  The Minster Peter Collier indicated that the ‘new model goes hand in hand with reforms to improve efficiency of WA’s public education system, which include staff reductions where positions could no longer be justified’. 20 August Ministerial Media Statement 

Update: Information provided to Parliament indicates that in addition to the original 500 positions to be axed, a further 342 teachers and 94 Aboriginal Islander Education Officer positions will be axed.  Standing Committee on Estimates and Financial Operations 

The promise of $1.25 million for Mt Hawthorn Primary School was to extend the undercover space for assemblies and resurfaced recreational areas, with the centre to operate a micro cinema and trial a community garden. 

In the 2013/14 State Budget only $750,000 has been allocated to the school. $500, 000 in 13/14 and $250, 000 in 2014/15.  - Budget Paper 2, p281

Update: Following a community backlash the Barnett Government has reserved its decision and the original funding has been restored to the school.  As reported in Perth Voice, ‘the Barnett government has back-flipped again, deciding to honour after all its $1.25 million pre-election pledge to Mt Hawthorn primary school’.  P1 Perth Voice 14/9/2013

The commitment to rebuild Willetton SHS during the State election follows on from a commitment made in the 2012-13 State Budget where the Premier announced a $80 million rebuild of the school but only delivered $32.5 million of the announced funding. 

This promise was reannounced in the 2103 election and more money was attached to it, an additional $16 million bringing the final commitment to $96 million.  However in the 2013-14 Budget only $43 million has been provided over the 5 years from 2012 – 2017. - Budget Paper 2, p279 

When questioned about the facilities in Parliament the Minister for Mental Health provided the following information:

The planning for these will be undertaken within existing resources. Following that information, we will be able to determine precisely in terms of time lines and budget outlines where this needs to be included in the budget. At this stage the information is not clear.  

Parliamentary Questions Without Notice No. 410  

Update

Funding for these mental health facilities has now been allocated in the State Budget, funded through Royalties for Regions. The services will now commence in 2017. 

When questioned about the facilities in Parliament the Minister for Mental Health provided the following information:

The planning for these will be undertaken within existing resources. Following that information, we will be able to determine precisely in terms of time lines and budget outlines where this needs to be included in the budget. At this stage the information is not clear.  

Parliamentary Questions Without Notice No. 410  

Update

Funding for these mental health facilities has now been allocated in the State Budget, funded through Royalties for Regions. The services will now commence in 2017. 

‘A new $30million investment will be added to the $58million already committed over the next four years to health and medical research, bringing the total State Government investment to $88million – an increase of more than 50 per cent.’

Liberals’ Health Policy p11

This was described as part of their commitment towards fostering a culture of science and innovation in Western Australia. 

When the budget handed down only $12 million was allocated with nothing for 2013/14 and only $4 million a year in each of the 3 out years.

The medical community has raised their concerns about the failure of the Barnett government to honour the commitment they had made.  Dr Gannon the Vice President of the AMA in Western Australia said ‘the Government was also short-sighted to fund only $12 million of the extra $30 million needed for medical research’. The West Australian, 9 August 2013, p9.

Throughout the election campaign the Liberal Party claimed that their promises were ‘Fully Funded, Fully Costed'. On the Thursday prior to the election it was revealed by the Under Treasurer of the State Tim Marney that this was not correct.

As part of the election process the political parties can request that the Department of Treasury verify costings for their election commitments. This information is made publically available via the Department of Treasury website.

This document ‘2013 State Election Policy Costing - Impact of Liberal Party Commitments on State Finances' revealed that on major infrastructure projects the Barnett Government had assumed a significant contribution from the Commonwealth Government in order to fund their commitments.

This included 50% of the Max Light Rail project being funded by the Commonwealth and 80% of the Airport Rail. The Under Treasurer noted that the Commonwealth Government had not committed to this funding and described the assumption that it would provide it as ‘a risk'.

Despite indicating that both of the projects were ‘Fully Funded, Fully Costed' the combined amount of unfunded costs for the two projects that the Liberal Party was seeking was $2.541 billion.

In May this year following the State election and as part of the Federal Budget, the Commonwealth Government announced that it would provide $500 million over the next 10 years to assist with the two projects. This leaves a shortfall of $2 billion that the Liberal Party has failed to fund.

In July 2013 Tony Abbott indicated that he did not support any federal funding being provided for state rail projects saying that they were fundamentally a state responsibility. He also indicated that he would only honour projects that had already begun such as the Gateway Rd interchange near the Perth Airport. (West Australian, 5 July 2013)

This is just two examples of election commitments by the Barnett Government that were not fully funded or fully costed. How many more will there be?

Alisha O’Flaherty (to Barnett): Premier power prices have jumped by more than 60 per cent under your watch and the budget forecasts further hikes of 25 per cent over three years. Is that what you are planning?

Premier: Ah no, it is true that electricity prices have gone up significantly but Western Australia still has some of the lowest electricity prices in the country and what we inherited from the previous Labor Government was a situation where prices had been artificially held down and the utilities were facing a billion dollars in debt. It wasn’t a decision I enjoyed making, but it was a decision that had to be made. In the last two years electricity prices have gone up 5 per cent and 3.5 per cent and we will keep electricity prices at or around the rate of inflation.

The Leaders Debate was televised live on ABC TV. 

On the 9 May the Government issued a press release outlining the increases to a range of household fees and charges. Electricity is to rise by 4% from 1 July 2013 at a time when the current rate of inflation is 2.75%. As reported by Gareth Parker in The West Australian, this increase is 45% greater than the current rate of inflation. 

‘The average WA household will be slugged an extra $218 a year from July 1 after the State Government announced yesterday that it would increase a raft of fees and charges above the rate of inflation.'

- Page 1, The West Australian, 10 May 2013

'Power process were to be kept to “at or around” the 2.75 per cent rate of inflation. Instead they will rise 4 per cent, which despite Troy Buswell’s talk of “parameters”, misses the mark by a mere 45 per cent.'

- Gareth Parker 

On 16 April 2014, Treasurer Mike Nahan flagged further increases to electricity prices, stating that "We're going to struggle to keep it at CPI on electricity prices", due to falling revenue from iron ore royalties.

- ABC News Online, 16 April 2014 

UPDATE

Colin Barnett has proceeded to break his promise to keep electricity prices at or around the rate of inflation on another two occasions. The 2014-15 and  2015-16 Budgets contained rises of 4.5% in each year, far above the rate of inflation on each occasion 

In June 2013, post the election Kim Hames announced that the opening of the hospital would be delayed for 6 months when it would only be partially opened. He also indicated that the hospital would not be fully operational until April 2015, one year after the initial opening date.

While the construction of the hospital is on time, the delay is being caused by setbacks in implementing the information and communication technology.

As a consequence of this delay the WA tax payer may be forced to pay undefined costs to Serco.

Serco is a multinational corporation who were awarded a $4.3 billion contract to run all non-clinical services at the new hospital after the Barnett Government made a decision to privatise these services. The terms of the contract specify that Serco is to commence running the hospital in April 2014.

‘In November 2010, hospital executive director Brad Sebbes said delaying its opening beyond April next year would cost between $250,000 and $400,000 a day.' (10 June 2013 West Australian p3)

The Barnett Government has indicated that they are in discussions with Serco in an attempt to mitigate these additional costs. However there is no evidence to indicate that these discussions have resulted in a favourable outcome for the WA tax payer.

Questions have also being raised about when the Minister knew about the delays. In July 2013, while being questioned by the education and health standing committee of Parliament, Health Department representatives revealed that they had known of the delays since November 2012. This matter will be examined in more detail by the committee in the near future.

During the State election all political parties made a commitment to index the Country Aged Pension Fuel Card. The card was introduced in 2009 to assist pensioners to meet the additional costs of travel in regional WA. The value of the card is currently $500 and has not been increased since its introduction.

The commitment by the Barnett Government was contained in ‘The Liberals Senior Policy’ at page 6.   

"Index the popular Country Age Pension Fuel Card to CPI, taking the total value of the card to $103 million over the next four years"

"The Liberals have recognised that the value of the card over time must be protected and if re-elected, will annually index the entitlement to ensure that its real value will be retained."

On the 4 July 2013 existing recipients of the card received a letter from the Department of Transport containing their new fuel card for the 2013-14 financial year. 

Contrary to the policy announced in the election the rate of the card was kept and $500 and was not indexed.  

This same plan was released as part of the Liberal Party Policy during the election campaign - ‘Our Plan for Transport'. They committed to invest $1.8 billion dollars to deliver the project.

The plan was widely promoted in the Liberal party advertising as being ‘Fully Funded - Fully Costed'.

Two days before the election the Under Treasurer Tim Marney released the ‘2013 State Election Policy Costing - Impact of Liberal Party Commitments on State Finances'.

In this document it was revealed that the Liberal Party had assumed that the Commonwealth Government would fund 50% of the project and noted that the Commonwealth Government had not committed to this funding. The Under Treasurer further noted that if they did not provide the funding there would be a $941 million impact on WAs net debt.

In addition to MAX the Barnett Government also announced a rail line to the airport. In the same document from the Under Treasurer it was revealed that the Liberal Party had assumed that 80% or $1.6 billion of the cost of this project would also be funded by the Commonwealth Government.

Despite indicating that both of the projects were ‘Fully Funded - Fully Costed' the combined amount of unfunded costs for the two projects that the Liberal Party was seeking was $2.541 billion. In May this year as part of the Federal Budget, the Commonwealth Government provided $500 million over the next 10 years to assist with the two projects. This leaves a shortfall of $2 billion that the Liberal Party has failed to fund.

Following this announcement the Premier began to lower expectation that Max Light Rail would be delivered on time and when questioned in Parliament by Mark McGowan the Leader of the Opposition on the 16 May 2013 Colin Barnett would not confirm the 2018 completion date.

In July 2013 Tony Abbott indicated that he did not support any Federal funding being provided for State rail projects saying that they were fundamentally a State responsibility. He also indicated that he would only honour projects that had already begun such as the Gateway interchange project near Perth Airport. (The West Australian p11 5/7/2013)

At this point, both the funding and timeframe of MAX remain uncertain.

Update: At the August State budget, it was revealed that the completion date had officially been delayed by one year to 2019. However with the subsequent loss of the states Triple A credit rating in September, Premier Colin Barnett hinted that the project may be delayed further or its route altered.

In the Mid-Year Review, released on 18 December 2013, it was confirmed that the project had been pushed back even further, with a new completion date of 2022, four years later than initially 

Update March 2015
 
The Barnett Government has confirmed that they are now considering using buses instead of building MAX Light Rail.
 
Minster for Transport Dean Nalder has commissioned a study to look at replacing light rail with a rapid bus system. West Australian 11/3/15
 
The decision has been criticised by Curtin University transport expert Jemma Green.  Ms Green was reported as saying “pursuing buses in lieu of light rail shows a lack of understanding about light rail.   It’s not just about bang for buck as a people-moving exercise.  Light rail, critically and distinctly, catalyses development around it – density and urban village centres.  Buses can never do that.” Sunday Times 8/3/15
 
The Property Council has also been scathing of the uncertainty caused by this situation.   Mr Lenzo form the Property council is reported as saying
 
“The deferral is becoming a nonsense. It’s a deferral with no end date of any kind and a deferral with no certainty of what we are going to have.
 
“This is a bad outcome and let’s face it, because of congestion, public transport is one of the most crucial areas we need to look at”, he said. West Australian 11/3/15
 
The future of Max Light Rail is now more uncertain. 

The abolition of the tax would have delivered $527 million in tax relief to small business over the next 4 years.

During the State election campaign the Barnett Government confirmed their commitment to lifting the tax burden on small business outlined in ‘The Liberals' Small Business Policy'.

However, on the 15 May 2013 the Treasurer Troy Buswell introduced the Duties Legislation Amendment Bill 2013 into Parliament. The effect of the legislation is to remove the legislated abolition of the tax from the Duties Act which means that the tax will continue to apply. There is no provision in the Act for the tax to be abolished at a later date.

On the 15 May when questioned on this in Parliament the Minister for Police, Liza Harvey failed to commit to the figure of 80 police officers and indicated that the decision on police resources would be made at a district level.

In June 2013 the Leader of the Opposition Mark McGowan revealed that work had not commenced at the site and that were currently only 30 police officers working there.   

The local Member of Parliament Rita Saffioti continued to campaign against the decision to close the station.

In February 2013 following an announcement by the Labor Party to establish a new police station in Ballajura if elected, the Liberal Party announced a similar plan (Eastern Reporter, 12 February 2013). The commitment was for a new $12.5 million dollar station housing 21 officers and operating 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

As part of the Liberals' campaign in the area, the announcement was widely publicised including on flashing road signs indicating a 24/7 operation.

Following the election of the Barnett Government and in response to questions from Rita Saffioti in Parliament, the Police Minister Liza Harvey has since confirmed that the police station will not be a 24 hour counter service police station:

"At this stage it is not anticipated that it will be a district 24-hour counter-service police station. To be very, very clear to members in the house: all of our police stations in every suburb in the metropolitan area have police officers who operate out of those stations at night, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is coverage across the entire metropolitan area 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from our police stations. Ballajura police station will have officers rostered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That policing will occur consistent with our other stations." - Liza Harvey 8 May 2013 (Hansard)

In response to the question the Premier stated:

"I make it very clear that there are no cuts, proposed or planned for staffing within the public sector - none at all." - Hansard

During the election campaign the Barnett Government released a policy 'The Liberals Public Sector Management Policy' which outlined their position on a range of matters in relation to the public sector.  Contained in this policy was a commitment to retain a cap on the current size of the public sector indicating that they would maintain this position while the tight financial circumstances continued in WA. - Page 10 Liberal Party Policy

On the 13 June 2103 the Barnett Government announced their intention to abolish in excess of 1000 public sector positions. This announcement also outlined their plans to introduce involuntary redundancies into the sector. 

In answer to questions in Parliament later that day The Premier Colin Barnett made the following statement:

"Yes, I made that statement in September to which the Leader of the Opposition referred.  In September last year there were no plans.  We have, however, subsequent to the election, made the decision to proceed with this voluntary package and that is what we are doing." - Hansard

In 2009 the Barnett Government announced their decision to refurbish the 47 year old Muja AB Power Station in Collie.  The Premier said the cost of the refurbishment would be around $100 million, and he promised that the entire cost would be met by the private sector.

Mr Barnett said:

“Can I stress that $100 million will be private sector investment, not State Government or taxpayer funded.”

 This was a simple promise by Mr Barnett.

The Energy Minister Peter Collier promised to make all the details of the private sector “join venture” public.  In fact, he promised:

“We will get to the point where the actual, the full disclosure of what goes on with the joint venture will be made public very, very shortly.”

While promising to make full disclosure, the Barnett Government secretly provided a $150 million guarantee to the project, meaning taxpayers were on the hook for all this money while the private sector partner only invested $80,000.

The project was also delayed as the Barnett Government had not received environmental approvals before it announced the deal.  This meant the works on the project did not get underway until the middle of 2010, over 12 months late.

In July 2012, there was a failure in the plant that injured a worker.  It was only after this serious accident that the Barnett Government finally did a full investigation of all the engineering issues with the Muja AB plant.

When this full engineering analysis was completed, it showed that despite having spent almost $150 million, the plant could not function.  The contract between the Barnett Government and the private sector partner meant the private sector partner was not required to invest any money in fixing the engineering problems this full investigation had discovered.

Although the Barnett Government had promised “full disclosure”, in fact the Barnett Government secretly approved a special injection of $23 million into the project.  Even this extra money was not enough to get the project on track.

In January 2013, just days before calling the election, the Barnett Government made another, secret cash injection into the project of $46.8 million.

After WA Labor had exposed the serious and on-going financial and engineering failures in this project, the Barnett Government made one more, secret cash injection of $5 million in June 2013.

According to Energy Minister Mike Nahan, the total project cost is $280 million, which has all been met by the taxpayers of Western Australia.  While Mr Barnett promised the Muja AB refurbishment would cost only $100 million – and be funded 100% by the private sector - it actually cost almost three times as much and was entirely paid for by taxpayers of Western Australia.

When making the decision to suspend the works, the Minster made the following comment in his statement to Parliament:

There has been a fundamental error in this project. Verve Energy failed to undertake the necessary technical and due diligence to ensure that there were no problems with existing plant. This failure has led to significant cost increases that are ultimately borne by the taxpayers of Western Australia.

In the lead up to the State election the RAC sought assurances from both political parties that this situation would not change. The Barnett Government assured the RAC that there was no provision in the ICWA Act that allowed for the payment of such a dividend.

On 12 June 2013 the Treasurer Troy Buswell introduced legislation into Parliament, the ‘Insurance Commission of Western Australia Amendment Bill 2013'. The changes proposed in the legislation will make ICWA subject to dividend provisions. This is contrary to the assurances given by the Barnett Government prior to the election.

The West Australian has reported that senior Perth finance executives have indicated that the introduction of the dividend would put pressure on ICWA to lift third party premiums in future years increasing costs to all Western Australian motorists. The premiums jumped by 4.5% this year.

The legislation is currently progressing through Parliament.

While the Barnett Government announced a range of energy policies in the lead up to the 2013 election no change was made to their position and the community and the energy industry went to the election understanding that there was no plans to remerger Verve and Synergy.    

On the 10 April 2013 following the election, the Barnett Government released a Ministerial Media Statement ‘Changes to Machinery of Government’ outlining a their plan to remerge Verve and Synergy. The Premier said that the splitting of Verve and Synergy had contributed to higher electricity costs in the South West grid, a claim that has been widely disputed by industry and the CCI. 

The new Board for the remerged entity was announced on the 2 July 2013.  The Board has been tasked with creating the new entity by the 1 January 2014. In the announcement, the government stated that ‘Legislative changes will now be developed to integrate Synergy and Verve Energy into a single government trading entity to take effect from January 1, 2014.’ 

The decision to remerger the two entities has been met with strong opposition from the Economic Regulation Authority, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the energy industry, experts and the business community.

This follows on from significant increases awarded by the Barnett Government in May 2013 to their own Ministerial staff. The biggest increase was 52%, significantly higher than the current rate of inflation. Details of the increases were published in the West Australian on 17 May 2013.