Large concrete bollards were installed in front of the West Australian Parliament after authorities received intelligence of a security risk to the building.
But despite the intelligence, it was today revealed a plan for a $1.8 million security upgrade to Parliament House was rejected by the McGowan Government.
The State Opposition said the decision had left at risk both members of parliament and the thousands of people who visited the building each year.
The bollards — large soak wells filled with concrete — were installed in the forecourt of Parliament House as "hostile vehicle mitigation" structures in November last year, to stop potential terrorist car attacks.
Executive manager of parliamentary services Rob Hunter today told a budget estimates hearing he knew at the time the bollards were an eyesore, but they were necessary.
"We did receive intelligence about a potential risk to Parliament based on other jurisdictions giving us information, and it was pretty urgent for us to do something," Mr Hunter said.
"So it was something of a knee-jerk reaction for us to put those bollards in at the time, but it was necessary for us to do that."
Mr Hunter said the bollards were intended to be a temporary installation, and they would eventually be replaced by bollards that would sit under ground and rise up when needed.
"We don't want them to be ostentatious like the ones we have at the front. We want them to be as discrete as we can," Mr Hunter said.
Risk to visitors: Opposition
The estimates hearing was told parliamentary services had submitted a request for a $1.8 million security upgrade to Parliament.
That included a redesign of the entire forecourt with "seamless security", and improved infrastructure so security screening could occur away from the building rather than in the front foyer.
Under the plan, access via side doors would be restricted, alarm systems would be improved and there would be better fortification of some windows and exposed areas.
Premier Mark McGowan defended the decision to reject the funding.
"There's huge security improvements already taken place here in light of the assessments around Australia and around the world. I'm satisfied with that," he said.
But the Opposition's Zac Kirkup said the decision had created an unacceptable risk.
"We have thousands of students who visit this Parliament each and every year, thousands of people who visit as part of a protest or community meetings," he said.
"The fact the State Government knocked back a $1.8 million ask to help increase security at Parliament House could potentially put at risk those visitors that come here to participate in the democratic process."
