The state-owned Perth Mint paid out $7.7 million in staff bonuses from 2018 to 2021, despite the government's wage caps on public servants. 

According to annual reports filed by Gold Corp, which owns and operates the mint, the payments were made through a separate scheme to one that was paused by WA Premier Mark McGowan in 2017. 

The paused scheme allowed senior staff to collect more lucrative bonuses based on their performance. 

While the government imposed tight wage caps on public servants during this period, Gold Corp's payments aimed to “motivate all staff”.

Premier McGowan acknowledged that he was unaware of the incentive scheme payouts until recently. 

He stated that he had been advised that there were restrictions to the bonuses paid to Gold Corp staff. 

However, he has declined to comment on whether he supported the board's decision to approve the payments given the advice to restrict bonuses. The board has been led by former Rio Tinto boss Sam Walsh since January 2019.

The Perth Mint is facing potential legal action after selling diluted gold to China between 2018 and September 2021, covering the same period in which company-wide incentives were paid during the public sector wage crackdown. A media investigation uncovered the situation.

Gold Corporation's spokesperson said the corporation adhered to the State Wages Policy Statement 2017 and that staff incentive scheme payments were made in line with contractual provisions.

Premier McGowan, who has been limiting public sector wage spending since 2017, is tackling “the worst set of finances since the Great Depression”, as he describes it.