Thursday, 29 August 2024

Department of Treasury and Finance

David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:03): (646) My question is for the minister representing the Treasurer. I have been reflecting on the Parliamentary Budget Office submission to the inquiry into the 2026 Commonwealth Games bid, particularly their analysis of the high-value, high-risk framework in the Department of Treasury and Finance. This is essentially an analysis tool to ensure that risky projects over $250 million are appropriately assessed for risk. This is of course a good idea, as it is not their money, but I have some concerns. Are there ways that the government could slip around these obligations? If the end-of-project assets are not owned by the state, will it be applied? And could projects be split up to ensure that this framework is not applied? My question for the Treasurer is: how is the Department of Treasury and Finance ensuring that appropriate risk analysis is provided for high-value, high-risk projects?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:04): I thank Mr Limbrick for his question for the Treasurer. I will pass on both his reflections and his question to him.

David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:04): I thank the Attorney-General for passing that on. My supplementary question is: how many times has the high-value, high-risk assessment framework been used during this term of Parliament?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:04): Mr Limbrick, thank you for your supplementary question. Likewise, I will pass it on to Minister Pallas.