NSW Parliament Extends Independent Election Policy Costings to One Nation

The New South Wales Parliament has amended legislation allowing the One Nation Party, alongside Labor and the Liberal & National parties, to access the independent Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) for election promise costings ahead of the March 2027 state election.

Under the updated legislation, the leaders of Labor, the Coalition, and One Nation will be permitted to submit an unlimited number of policy proposals to the PBO for financial examination. The PBO will then release a budget impact statement for each of these parties before voting begins. According to the state government, the changes recognise the potential for these parties to compete to form government and address past concerns raised by One Nation regarding access to public resources for policy costings.

Other minor parties and eligible sitting independent MPs will be allowed to submit up to two policies each to the PBO for costing.

Dr Michael Warlters, an economist with over 35 years of experience in macroeconomic policy, infrastructure, and revenue forecasting, has been appointed as the Parliamentary Budget Officer.

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey stated that independent advice is particularly valuable given the difficult economic conditions anticipated for the upcoming election, adding that voters deserve to understand the potential impacts of election commitments on both the state budget and household finances.

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