Question Without Notice No. 133 asked in the Legislative Council on 22 March 2018 by Hon Jim Chown
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
PARLIAMENTARY BUDGET OFFICE
133. Hon JIM CHOWN to the Leader of the House representing the Premier:
I refer to recommendation VII on page 17 of Langoulant report, which states —
It is recommended that Government establish a Parliamentary Budget Office to enhance transparency and public understanding of election commitments, and the budget and fiscal policy settings.
(1) Is the government going to establish a parliamentary budget office?
(2) If yes to (1) —
(a) what will be the cost of establishing the parliamentary budget office as recommended by the Langoulant report; and
(b) what is the intended time frame for establishing the office?
(3) If no to (1), why is the government ignoring the significant recommendation in its own commissioned report?
Hon SUE ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(3) The government broadly endorses the recommendations of the report, although we are committed to retaining royalties for regions as a standalone regional fund. The timing and detail of the implementation of the parliamentary budget office recommendation will be considered as part of the rebuilding the public sector reform program. This will include Expenditure Review Committee and cabinet consideration of the budget, structural reform and legislative reform required for implementation.