The spokesperson said the size of the team fluctuated based on individual project lifecycles and insisted the office was temporary.
“This team works to support the state government’s major rail infrastructure projects by engaging and informing impacted communities across Perth, through multiple communications channels including community forums, social media, direct mail correspondence including works notices and responding to community enquiries,” the spokesperson said.
“With six significant and complex rail infrastructure projects underway, impacting large areas of the Perth metropolitan area directly, diverse, innovative and inclusive communications and engagement activities are required.”
“Staff are therefore employed through either PTA or DoT as statutory entities with fixed term positions funded through the Metronet program budget.”
A PTA spokesperson later confirmed there were 23 full-time staff at the PTA responsible for corporate communications including projects, marketing and operations.
But this figure did not include employees now on contracts in the Metronet communications team.
Opposition leader Shane Love said the public deserved transparency and fiscal responsibility from the government and blasted what he described as a “Department of Spin”.
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Love called on Premier Roger Cook and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti to disclose what the “army of spin doctors” was costing taxpayers for a project with timeline and cost blowouts.
“What we’re seeing from the Cook Labor government is an appalling misuse of taxpayer dollars, creating a bloated ‘Department of Spin’ within Metronet and the Public Transport Authority by employing over 30 communications staff across the two agencies,” he said.
“It is beyond farcical that, on the very day Metronet’s Mandurah Line left commuters stranded for hours, wasteful spending on an overblown communications team was exposed.
“Commuters need reliable service—not public servants tinkering with colour palettes.
“The sheer extravagance of this project’s promotion is insulting.
“Hardworking Western Australians are right to ask: why is so much public money being spent on Metronet propaganda and gimmicks instead of essential services?
“This is taxpayer money that could be better spent addressing genuine needs across the state—
not on spin and self-promotion for a project that fails to stay on track and keep to timetables.”
The PTA’s annual report confirmed it spent a further $3.3 million over the course of the financial year engaging external media advertising agencies.
The opposition has long criticised WA Labor’s major public transport plan, which comprises more than 70 kilometres of rail and 23 new train stations.
The total capital cost of the project is approaching $13 billion, a figure which has climbed annually since Labor promised it could be delivered for $3 billion at the 2017 election.
WA Labor embarked on a shakeup of the public sector when it came to power, which it claimed would amalgamate and abolish government departments to eliminate waste and duplication and create efficiencies.
The Public Transport Authority was contacted for comment.
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