Fact Check: Anthony Albanese says the Coalition 'gutted' the Australian National Audit Office's budget by 20 per cent over the past seven years. Is he correct?
Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese claims the Australian National Audit Office's budget has been slashed by 20 per cent under the Coalition over the past seven years. Is he correct?
Government resourcing of the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO), when adjusted for inflation, was 14.34 per cent lower in 2019-20 than in Labor's final budget. If the funding set out in the 2020-21 budget eventuates, the decline will be 15.85 per cent. This decrease in funding is consistent with a broader downward trend over the past decade extending beyond the Coalition's time in office.
Experts told RMIT ABC Fact Check that ANAO resourcing could also be assessed as a share of overall government expenditure. By this measure, there is an even clearer trend of dwindling resources against a backdrop of increased government expenditure.
Verdict: Mr Albanese's claim is overstated.
