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.
Mr Roger Cook replied:
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.
717. Mr Basil Zempilas to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. To ensure that public funds are not going into the pockets of companies associated with organised crime gangs, will the Premier order—
Mr Mark Folkard: Preamble! Preamble!
The Speaker: Thank you. Sorry, Leader of the Opposition, just wait, please.
Member for Burns Beach, thank you for that interjection. We do not need it, even though you were correct.
Mr Mark Folkard: Burns Beach doesn't exist!
The Speaker: Mindarie, sorry!
Leader of the Opposition, supplementary questions do not have preamble. Just ask the question, please.
Mr Basil Zempilas: Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Will the Premier order an urgent review into government procurement practices?
Mr Roger Cook replied:
As I said, we will continue to investigate this situation—
Several members interjected.
The Speaker: Members of the opposition!
Mr Roger Cook: Just settle, kids! We will look into this situation and get to the bottom of it.
Visitors
The Speaker: Member for Scarborough, just before I give you the call, on behalf of the member for Darling Range, I acknowledge in the Speaker's gallery today the teachers and student leaders of Byford Secondary College. Welcome.
