Missing Western Power Laptops Fuel 'Misinformation' Claims on Bullsbrook Blackouts
Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson has declared it unacceptable that Western Power has lost $1 million worth of taxpayer-funded computers, tablets, and mobile phones. An audit has been ordered after the utility reported 563 computers, laptops, and tablets lost or stolen since July 2023, along with 198 missing mobile phones.
Minister Responds to Device Losses
Ms Sanderson emphasized that while the losses represent a very small percentage of Western Power's assets, the situation is not acceptable. She assured the public that no data is at risk, stating, "Western Power devices are encrypted and rendered inaccessible without active user credentials. This mitigates any risk of unauthorized access."
Opposition Links Missing Laptops to Blackouts
The Opposition has connected the missing laptops to frequent blackouts in Bullsbrook, questioning the Minister's confidence in Western Power. This follows a series of outages during a February heatwave that impacted approximately 2,200 homes. Western Power has adjusted network settings to reduce the likelihood of further interruptions.
Minister Blames Third-Party Interference
During Question Time in Parliament, Ms Sanderson attributed the outages to "third-party interference" with infrastructure, such as animals and vegetation. She defended Western Power, saying, "I do have confidence in Western Power to be able to manage our grid and support the network." She labeled claims of housing or capacity issues as misinformation, adding that Western Power is working to enhance network resilience.
Fiery Parliamentary Debate
The discussion became heated earlier when a point of order was upheld against Premier Roger Cook during a debate over Labor's demersal fish bans. Mr Cook was warned to direct his comments to Speaker Stephen Price after accusing Opposition MPs of being anti-recreational fishing and anti-environment.
The debate intensified when John Carey criticized the Nationals' record on regional health infrastructure, stating, "The Nationals talk big, but it's only actually Labor Governments that do major investment in regional hospitals." He compared them to a disappointing tinder date, prompting laughter from Labor MPs and a call for calm from Mr Price.
