- Cook Labor Government's crash towing reforms deliver first court conviction
- Reforms introduced to protect Western Australian motorists
- Part of commitment to building safe and inclusive communities
A Perth towing company has become the first convicted under the Cook Labor Government's towing reforms.
The new laws have been introduced to ensure proper regulation of crash towing in Western Australia, improve industry accountability and better protect WA drivers.
Towlife Enterprises Pty Ltd was convicted in the Perth Magistrates court on Friday, 12 June for breaching Regulation 17 (4) of the Towing Services Regulations 2025.
The company was fined $10,000 and ordered to pay legal costs.
The prosecution is among the first brought under the Cook Labor Government's reforms, which were introduced to create a safer, fairer, more transparent and efficient industry.
The court found the company failed to provide requested material, such as paperwork and other records, needed to investigate potential breaches of the towing laws.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of $60,000.
The conviction highlights the Cook Labor Government's commitment to enforcing the new regulatory framework.
The next phase of reforms comes into effect on 1 July 2026, requiring towing businesses to be authorised and meet fit and proper person requirements, as well as prescribed storage yard standards.
Businesses that operate without the required authorisation face penalties of up to $200,000, while individuals can be fined up to $40,000.
TheTowing Services Act 2024was passed in October 2024,immediatelyintroducing a ban on advertisingorpaymentof spotter fees.
In January 2025, theTowing Services Regulations 2025introduced maximumcharges for towing and storage of crashed light vehicles inthePerth and Peel regions, as well as increased penalties for authority to tow breaches.
Comments attributed to Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport Jessica Stojkovski:
"The Cook Labor Government is making the towing industry fairer and safer by cracking down on unscrupulous behaviour, protecting motorists and operators doing the right thing.
"Western Australians deserve confidence that tow truck operators are acting lawfully and transparently, particularly at what can be a stressful and vulnerable time following a crash.
"This conviction sends a clear message that towing operators who fail to comply with the law will be held to account.
"It comes as we introduce our next phase of reform to protect ethical towingoperators, and I encourage all operators to make sure they understand the requirements to become authorisedand continueoperating."
