Media Release | 23 October 2026
Peter Rundle MLA
Shadow Minister for Water
Shadow Minister for Water Peter Rundle MLA has called for an independent investigation into the Cook Labor Government’s handling of sensitive tender processes after revelations confidential Water Corporation bid information was accessed by a competing contractor.
Reports indicate Acciona staff were able to access confidential information relating to rival bids during the Water Corporation’s procurement process for the Binduli Reservoir Duplication Project south of Kalgoorlie, prompting an audit of at least $2 billion worth of contracts involving the company.
Mr Rundle said the breach raised serious questions about the Government’s ability to protect commercially sensitive information and properly manage major public contracts.
“Western Australians expect government tender processes to be secure, fair and beyond reproach. The fact a competing bidder was able to access confidential tender information is completely unacceptable,” Mr Rundle said.
“While the company involved has serious questions to answer, the bigger question is how Water Corporation and the Cook Labor Government allowed this breach to occur in the first place.”
“How was sensitive information made accessible to a competing bidder, what safeguards failed, and can the Government guarantee this hasn’t happened elsewhere?”
Water Minister Daniel Pastorelli has described the breach as an isolated human error. However, reports indicate the documents were accessed without the issue being reported, with Water Corporation only becoming aware of the breach after the information had already been viewed.
Mr Rundle said the incident had undermined confidence in the integrity of government procurement processes.
“This goes beyond a single contract. Businesses participating in government tenders must have confidence their commercially sensitive information is protected,” he said.
“When confidence in those processes is compromised, it casts doubt over the integrity of the entire procurement system.”
Acciona holds major State Government contracts across Western Australia, including significant infrastructure projects involving Water Corporation and other government entities.
Mr Rundle said an internal review alone would not be sufficient to restore public confidence.
“Given the seriousness of this breach and the scale of government contracts involved an independent review, as well as a referral to the CCC, is essential,” he said.
“Western Australians deserve full transparency about what happened, whether similar breaches have occurred elsewhere, and what action will be taken to ensure this can never happen again.
“I will be seeking an urgent briefing from Water Corporation and the Minister and will continue pressing for answers until confidence in these processes is restored.”
ENDS
