Liberal and National parties remain determined to destroy the State's finances

Wednesday, 28 June 2017

• ​Liberals and Nationals' attacks on the State's finances continue
• Liberals and Nationals vote to support scrapping of their own savings measures
• Another act of fiscal vandalism by the Liberals and Nationals costs the State almost $10 million per year
• $500,000 wasted in implementation and costs associated with reversing the changes

The Liberal and National parties' complete disrespect for Western Australian taxpayers continues, as Opposition members yesterday (June 27) voted to reverse savings measures they introduced just nine months ago while they were still in government.  

In a rare moment of fiscal responsibility as part of its 2016-17 Budget process, the then Liberal National Government made a decision to discontinue the motor vehicle licensing concessions granted to local government authorities and the WA Local Government Association, effective from July 1, 2017.

As part of this decision, local governments would also no longer be exempt from stamp duty for motor vehicle purchases. These combined measures were expected to deliver savings of almost $10 million per year, as well as additional savings in ongoing administration.

However, in a staggering move by the Liberal and National parties, Opposition members voted to support a Disallowance Motion moved by Agricultural Region MLC Rick Mazza, to reverse these measures and reinstate these concessions for local governments.

The reversal of this decision would cost the State:

• $5.6 million per year in motor vehicle license exemption to local government authorities;
• $4.2 million per year in stamp duty exemption to local government authorities; and
• About $500,000 in implementation costs and costs associated with reversing the changes.

Comments attributed to Treasurer Ben Wyatt:

"Mike Nahan is clearly not content with his vandalism of the State's finances while Treasurer and has directed his party to continue their attack on WA taxpayers from Opposition.

"To defy their own savings measures, destroys any remaining credibility of fiscal responsibility that the Liberal and National parties may have had.

"It is hard to fathom that the Opposition will no doubt celebrate blowing another $10 million black hole in the budget. I can assure you that the budget will not wear this act of fiscal irresponsibility.

"The McGowan Government is determined to fix the budget disaster left to us by the previous government."