After nearly two years in power, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos have no excuses left. The Auditor-General's report has exposed alarming breaches of governance, and the government must table all overdue reports by close of business today.
The failures include:
- The Treasurer has failed to table the audited 2023-24 Total State Sector Accounts (TSSA) in Parliament, as required under the Government Sector Finance Act 2018.
- Responsible Ministers have failed to table annual reports for 16 agencies, leaving Parliament and the public in the dark about agency performance.
- Errors in accounting for assets led to financial statement adjustments totalling $1.4 billion.
During the most recent Budget Estimates hearing, Treasurer Mookhey was asked directly: "In what month will the 2023–24 annual reports for each department/agency in your portfolio be published?" Instead of providing a straightforward answer, the Treasurer deflected: "The annual report of a reporting GSF agency is to be prepared, submitted and tabled in accordance with requirements under the Government Sector Finance Act 2018 and Treasurer's Direction 23-11."
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said this evasive response shows the Treasurer knew his legal obligations but has now chosen to ignore them. NSW is worse off under the Minns Labor Government, which consistently fails to meet even the most basic standards of transparency.
"These reports must be tabled by close of business today—no more delays, no more excuses," Mr Speakman said.
Shadow Minister for Finance Eleni Petinos said the Treasurer's deflection during Budget Estimates hearings and the Minns Labor Government's repeated failures to meet their obligations demonstrate a government that is not serious about transparency.
"These overdue reports are not just a bureaucratic failure—they represent an inexcusable avoidance scrutiny. The people of NSW deserve better," Ms Petinos said.
While reported misstatements in financial reports have decreased, their gross value remains alarmingly high at $3.9 billion for 2023-24.
The Minns Labor Government has had almost two years to get its house in order, yet it continues to fail at every turn. Its inability to deliver key reports and ensure financial transparency shows contempt for the people of NSW. The Treasurer and the Minister must stop hiding and start governing.
The time for excuses is over. The people of NSW deserve transparency, accountability, and results—not a government that hides behind bureaucracy and deflection. Enough is enough.
