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Sydney

NSW government moves to force One Nation policy costings ahead of March election

Amendment to budget office legislation would give Mark Latham's party same scrutiny as major parties

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
The New South Wales government will introduce legislation this week to allow the state's independent Parliamentary Budget Office to cost One Nation's election promises, as Treasurer Daniel Mookhey challenged the resurgent right-wing party to submit its policies for independent analysis ahead of the March poll.

The Minns government will amend the law governing the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO), which currently provides costings only for Labor and the Coalition in the lead-up to elections. The change would give One Nation the same access, a move the government says is necessary because the coming election is likely to be a three-cornered race in many electorates.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey laid down the challenge, saying the state "can't afford to live in budget fantasy lands".

"One Nation has made no secret of how much they admire American and Argentinian-style wage policies, healthcare policies and cuts to the public service," he said. "No doubt they will want to import these ideas into NSW, but voters deserve to have independent advice about what they mean for them."

The independent PBO was established before the 2011 election and traditionally releases costed budget statements for both major parties days before polling, providing a final test of fiscal credibility.

One Nation currently holds no seats in the NSW Parliament, but Labor has increasingly focused on the party as repeated polls show Labor leading the Coalition on primary vote. The amendment is seen as a recognition that One Nation could hold the balance of power or influence the outcome in key seats.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Voters in key NSW electorates would see independent analysis of One Nation's policies before casting their ballot
  • The move signals Labor views One Nation as a serious electoral threat, potentially reshaping campaign dynamics
  • If One Nation refuses to submit costings, it may face accusations of avoiding scrutiny

Background

The independent Parliamentary Budget Office was created ahead of the 2011 NSW election to provide non-partisan analysis of major party commitments. Typically, only Labor and the Coalition have used its services. With One Nation polling strongly and the March election approaching, the government argues the PBO framework needs updating to reflect a multi-party contest. One Nation has no current MPs in the NSW Parliament, meaning it does not automatically qualify for official costings under existing rules.

Key Perspectives

NSW Labor: Argues transparency demands that One Nation's promises face the same independent scrutiny as those of the major parties. Treasurer Mookhey has cast One Nation's admiration for foreign policy models as a risk to the state's budget. One Nation: The party has not publicly responded to the proposal. It may view the requirement as a political trap or accept the costings as a way to demonstrate fiscal responsibility. Voters and fiscal watchdogs: Independent costings provide a clearer picture of election choices. Critics may question why the amendment is being introduced now, rather than at the start of the parliamentary term.

What to Watch

  • Whether One Nation submits its policies to the Parliamentary Budget Office
  • The content of any costed policy statements released before the March election
  • Polling shifts as Labor and the Coalition adjust their campaigns to account for the three-cornered race

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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