Labor accuses Govt of Lotterywest raid

The Opposition has accused the State Government of raiding Lotterywest in the lead up to the March 9 election.

Lotterywest is a WA Government statutory authority that runs the official state lottery, the funds of which are distributed to the community.

Opposition treasury spokesman Ben Wyatt said today that a recent increase in Lotterywest grants was a political ploy.

Over the past two months, there had been a flurry of ministerial media statements announcing $8.3 million in grants, Mr Wyatt said.

“This compares with the same time in 2011/12 when the Barnett government was only interested in grasping one Lotterywest grant in the amount of $241,415,” he said.

But Lotterywest chief executive Jan Stewart said the grants process operated independently of political campaigns.

“Grants go through every month and they are assessed independently by experienced grants staff and then referred to the board for final decisions and recommendations to the minister, who in this case is the premier,” Ms Stewart told ABC radio.

“Nothing has changed whatsoever.”

Almost 60 per cent of sales from Lotterywest products go in prizes to players. Operating costs account for about seven per cent of revenue and another eight per cent is paid in commission to retailers.