The Cook Government in Western Australia is under intense scrutiny following revelations it awarded a lucrative $5 million contract for works at the Perth Motorplex to a company with direct links to a known bikie figure.
Contract Awarded Despite Bikie Links
In a move raising serious questions about due diligence, the state government's Department of Transport granted the major contract to a company named Kwik Fix Concreting Pty Ltd. The firm is directly associated with Benjamin David Ortin, a 34-year-old man identified by police as a member of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang.
The contract, valued at $5,088,000, was for the construction of a new burnout pad and associated works at the Perth Motorplex in Kwinana Beach. The tender was awarded in December 2023, with work commencing shortly after.
Questions Over Due Diligence and Transparency
The connection between the company and the bikie associate was not hidden. Public records show Ortin was a director of Kwik Fix Concreting from its inception in July 2022 until he resigned in November 2023, just one month before the contract was formally awarded. His partner remains a director and shareholder.
This has led to significant criticism from the opposition and transparency advocates. Shadow police minister Peter Collier labelled the situation "extraordinary" and demanded to know what checks were performed. He questioned how a government department could miss such a clear and documented link to organised crime figures.
The Department of Transport has stated it undertook standard probity checks but has refused to comment on whether Ortin's links were known at the time of awarding the contract, citing commercial confidentiality.
Government Response and Ongoing Fallout
A spokesperson for the government defended the procurement process, stating the contract was awarded following a "competitive open tender process" and that the company met all necessary requirements. They emphasised that the government has a "zero-tolerance approach to criminal activity".
However, this assurance has done little to quell concerns. The case highlights potential gaps in the vetting process for companies bidding on lucrative government contracts, especially when the links to individuals of interest are a matter of public record.
The fallout continues as calls grow for a more thorough investigation into how the contract was approved and what steps will be taken to prevent similar situations in the future. The incident casts a shadow over the government's procurement integrity just months after it announced a renewed focus on combating organised crime.
