The State Government spent an equivalent of more than 10 per cent of the budget surplus solely on RAT tests, the Auditor General has found.

Caroline Spencer said while the reportedly planned budget for the Covid diagnostic tests was around $3 million, the amount spent quickly blew out.

“That rapidly evolved into health entities purchasing $440 million worth of these diagnostic plastics,” Ms Spencer said.

“That’s around double the cost of the Bunbury Hospital redevelopment. I have never witnessed such escalation in the cost of a program.”

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Image: Getty/Jenny Evans