VenuesWest contract—Eastside Concrete
719. Mr Peter Rundle to the Minister for Sport and Recreation:
Firstly, on behalf of everyone in Parliament and especially the member for Albany, I acknowledge the family of Mark Adams, whom we know well, from Woogenellup, which is near Mount Barker, who has not been found alive after a fishing trip. I acknowledge his wife, Heather, and their children at this sad time. It has been a rough week in the regions.
My question is to the Minister for Sport and Recreation. I refer to the "cash for Coffin Cheaters" scandal.
(1) How is it possible that VenuesWest awarded a major contract to this company when even the most basic due diligence such as a simple Google search would have revealed the company's clear links to the Coffin Cheaters?
(2) Has the contract with VenuesWest been cancelled, and if not, why not?
Ms Rita Saffioti replied:
As the Premier outlined, VenuesWest is seeking advice from the Western Australia Police Force in relation to the nature of that relationship, and VenuesWest will then act after receiving the advice from WA police.
720. Mr Peter Rundle to the Minister for Sport and Recreation:
I have a supplementary question. What due diligence did VenuesWest do before awarding the contract?
Ms Rita Saffioti replied:
VenuesWest does some checks, but as I said in relation to the—
Mr Shane Love interjected.
The Speaker: Members! Leader of the National Party!
Ms Rita Saffioti: This is the opposition that has come in—
Mr Shane Love interjected.
Ms Rita Saffioti: This is the opposition that has come in to bat for tow truck operators in the state. They are scamming people out there on the streets. This is the opposition.
Several members interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Ms Rita Saffioti: This is the opposition that has, as its star candidate, the head of investor relations for Nicheliving. Did the member ask them, when they put forward their name for preselection, whether they had any links to dodgy builders?
Several members interjected.
The Speaker: Minister! Members of the opposition!
Dr Tony Buti interjected.
The Speaker: Attorney General!
Ms Rita Saffioti: I have to say, that was another good interjection. Thank you for that!
This is an opposition that goes in to bat for people who have illegal guns stored in their homes.
Several members interjected.
Ms Rita Saffioti: Yes.
Several members interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Several members interjected.
The Speaker: Members! Member for Belmont! Members, we have possibly 35 minutes to go. Let us just get through this.
Ms Rita Saffioti: We can do it.
The Speaker: Minister, I would like to remind you that this is a response to a supplementary question, which should be kept short, please.
Mrs Jessica Stojkovski: It's the main question.
The Speaker: No, this is a supplementary question.
Ms Rita Saffioti: Okay. As I said, as a result, VenuesWest is seeking advice from the police on the nature of the relationships.
