7.  Approval process

Cabinet approval is required before any agreement to enter a PPP can be executed in Western Australia. Prior to Cabinet considering any PPP proposal, detailed scrutiny will be provided through Cabinet's Economic and Expenditure Reform Committee (EERC), supported by independent advice from DTF and the Crown Solicitor. The key approval steps are detailed in the PPP process map below.

Cabinet and the EERC will be seeking assurances that a PPP proposal delivers the best value for money and does not compromise the public interest. Additional government approvals are also required in certain situations such as:

•  where there is a material change to the project including an amendment to the key project objectives, scope of services or the conclusions or major assumptions of the business case (including the economic and financial appraisals) change significantly;

•  there is any material change in the risk allocation from that which was last approved by government;

•  an amendment to the budget funding is required; and/or

•  where significant issues relating to the public interest arise.

Further information is available from:

•  National PPP guidelines Practitioners' Guide Section 2.2 page five;

•  Partnerships for Growth; and

•  Strategic Asset Management Framework.