Ensuring the Auditor General Can Shine a Light on Government Spending

The price of silence

In my years as a GP, I learned that ignoring a symptom rarely makes it disappear. Often, it allows a small, manageable problem to grow into a systemic crisis. The same principle applies to our state government. When we lack transparency, we do not just lose money. We lose trust. We leave the public purse vulnerable to waste, and we fail the very people who work hard to fund our essential services. It is a sinking feeling, knowing that your tax contributions might be slipping through the cracks of administrative inefficiency.

Defining the role of oversight

There is a quiet danger in letting public funds go unscrutinised. This is why I recently addressed the Legislative Council regarding the Equal Opportunity Amendment Bill 2026. My focus was not just on the letter of the law, but on the practical power of the Auditor General. We need to ensure that this office has the authority to conduct rigorous value for money investigations. This is not about being difficult. It is about being diligent. If a government department cannot show that it is spending funds wisely, the public has a right to know why.

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Evidence over politics

Those of us who value evidence understand that accountability is the bedrock of a functioning society. While many in the major parties seem content to operate within the comfort of the status quo, we choose to look closer. We identify where systems fail. We recognise that the Auditor General must have the necessary scope to examine financial administration, ensuring that every cent is measured against the outcomes it actually delivers. It is a matter of protecting our collective future against the risks of poor management and systemic neglect.

A path forward

We face a choice. We can settle for business as usual, or we can demand a government that welcomes scrutiny. Proper oversight is not a burden; it is an essential diagnostic tool for public health. You can read the full Hansard record of my recent contribution to see these arguments laid out in detail. We are building a movement of forward thinkers who believe in truth and fiscal responsibility. If you want to see a more transparent Western Australia, I encourage you to join Legalise Cannabis WA today. Together, we can ensure that our institutions are held to the standard that the people truly deserve.