Mr Zempilas questions the Premier regarding VenuesWest's contractor vetting process in light of the 'cash for Coffin Cheaters' scandal, implying insufficient due diligence. The Premier responds by highlighting anti-bikie laws and promising to seek police advice.

AnsweredQoN 716Legislative Assembly
Asked
4 December 2025
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

VenuesWest contract—Eastside
Concrete
716. Mr Basil Zempilas to
the Premier:
I refer to the "cash
for Coffin Cheaters" scandal. Can the Premier confirm, as his police
minister said to the media this morning, that the government simply asks
contractors whether they are a criminal or they associate with organised crime
gangs, and then only takes their word for it before engaging their services?
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Mr Reece Whitby interjected.
The Speaker: Minister!
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Minister! Minister, thank you. Members!
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! A couple of deep breaths.
Premier.

AnswerView source ↗

Thank you, Mr
Speaker. Obviously, taxpayer money should not go to businesses that are run by
hardened criminals, and that is why our government introduced the toughest anti-bikie
laws in the country. We take this matter very seriously. I am advised that
VenuesWest will seek formal advice from the Western Australia Police Force on
this matter and I will wait for that process to conclude before making any
further comment.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more