Government scoping study to investigate Landgate options

• Government to explore all available options for the maximum benefit of the State
• Project team to prepare a report back to State Cabinet on Landgate options
• Lessons learnt from other recent commercialisations to be incorporated in the review

The McGowan Government will start formally investigating the viability of commercialising some or all of the operations of Western Australia's land information authority, Landgate.

A study to identify the options - including an analysis on the value of the agency, its assets and investments - has now been approved and a report assessing potential options will be provided to Government by mid-2018.

The report will be informed by expert staff from Landgate and Treasury, while external advice will be sought as the project progresses.

Recent commercialisations undertaken in other Australian States and internationally will be examined as part of the study to inform potential options that may fit the Western Australian setting.

The best interests of the State will be the paramount consideration, with the existing legal protections of the Torrens title system to be preserved.

The Government will ensure Landgate staff have their rights and entitlements protected.

Landgate provides the State's land titles system, land valuation services and authoritative location information.  It has operated as an independent statutory authority since it was established by the Carpenter Labor Government in 2007.

Comments attributed to Lands Minister Rita Saffioti:

"We're going into this process with open minds and taking the broadest view possible of Landgate's future.

"Landgate is a complex business - it holds several investments on behalf of the State and provides a number of vital services to Government and to the people of Western Australia, so we will carefully consider the options available to us.

"The security and integrity of the data that Landgate holds will form a crucial part of the evaluation, as we work through the options."

Comments attributed to Treasurer Ben Wyatt:

"The Government has always said it will consider all options to manage the pressures on the State Budget, so it makes sense for us to look at the options we have with Landgate.

"Landgate is a valuable asset.  What we need to consider is what is the right thing to do in the long-term interests of the State.

"There are functions that Landgate undertakes that are vitally important to our economy, so we need to take a good look at it, consider all options, and determine the best outcome.

"Whichever direction the Government ultimately chooses to take, it will be in the best interests of all Western Australians."