Ms Brewer questions whether Smart Freeway funds were misappropriated by organised crime, specifically the Coffin Cheaters. The Minister deflects, accusing Ms Brewer of defending exploitative tow truck operators and downplaying the issue as an opposition overreaction, while confirming an ongoing police investigation.

AnsweredQoN 722Legislative Assembly
Asked
4 December 2025
Portfolio
Transport

QuestionView source ↗

Smart Freeways—Public funds—Organised crime
gangs
722. Ms Sandra Brewer to
the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the "cash
for Coffin Cheaters" scandal. Did any public funds from the Smart Freeways
project end up in the pockets of companies associated with organised crime
gangs like the Coffin Cheaters?

AnswerView source ↗

That is not my
advice. This is the member who came in to defend tow truck operators who are
ripping off Western Australians. There was one article. It has gone from an
article to a scandal. The opposition's escalation in this place is amazing!
Mr Lachlan Hunter: It was on the front page of The West Australian .
Ms Rita Saffioti: The front page.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! The minister is responding.
Ms Rita Saffioti: The opposition goes from an issue that
is in the paper to a scandal within a few hours.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! Member for Central Wheatbelt!
Ms Rita Saffioti: The member for Cottesloe was out
there defending those tow truck operators, was she not? She came and said in her
inaugural speech that we were going too hard on tow truck operators in this
state. As I said, that is not my advice. This matter is being investigated. The
police are providing advice to VenuesWest about that contract.

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