Deputy premier denies being influenced by Perth property developer

Western Australia's Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti has vehemently denied allegations of misconduct, describing them as "extreme" during her testimony in a defamation trial. The case involves property developer Greg Poland, who is suing a media outlet and its journalists over articles published in 2019. These articles were based on a secret recording of a meeting where Poland allegedly boasted about his access to Saffioti.

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The allegations that were made were probably the most extreme that I've ever seen.

In the recording, played during the trial, Poland can be heard telling another businessman, Aaron Grainger, that "Rita will be your friend" if Grainger helps resolve an issue for the government and disposes of allegedly "toxic" soil from the Forrestfield Airport Link tunnel. Saffioti, who was the Transport Minister during the tunnel's construction, stated that questions put to her in 2019 regarding these comments were "extreme" and constituted "very serious allegations" about her ministerial conduct.

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Rita will be your friend

Saffioti testified that her relationship with Poland was limited to long-running leasing issues at Hillary's Boat Harbour, where he was a major leaseholder. She asserted that Poland had "zero" influence on her and denied his claims of regularly meeting with her. Regarding the disposal of soil from the airport tunnel, Saffioti confirmed that the Peel Development Commission had suggested the Peel region as a potential site. However, she stated that her agencies investigated and concluded it was unsuitable, calling it a "dead issue."

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There was no other relationship in any shape or form.

Poland is also suing federal Liberal MP Andrew Hastie, two of his staffers, and former state Opposition Leader Zak Kirkup, alleging they distributed the secret recording. Hastie has defended his role in sharing the recording. Poland claims the WAtoday articles implied he is corrupt and engages in secret deals without due process, which he denies. Saffioti also denied Poland's assertion that she would "steam roll" a land swap deal for the soil disposal, calling the claim "false."

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My agency said no ... it was a dead issue.