Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 576

❓ Hon Nick Goiran questions the Attorney General regarding the introduction of 'lifetime release orders' for life and indefinite term prisoners, focusing on costs, potential release of heinous offenders, and exclusions. The Attorney General provides limited information, stating that options are being developed and discretion will not be affected.

AnsweredQoN 576Legislative Council

Asked

11 September 2025

Member

Hon Nick Goiran

Portfolio

Attorney General

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to page 415 of Budget Paper No. 2, Volume 2, in reference to the "Significant Initiatives" and, in particular, "Election Commitments", as well as the Attorney General’s intention to introduce “lifetime release orders” which would apply to both life and indefinite term prisoners, and I ask: (a) what is the estimated cost involved in introducing and monitoring compliance with these lifetime release orders; (b) regarding the Attorney General’s recent refusal to release child murderer Dante Arthurs and mass murderer Douglas Crabbe on parole, will the Government’s new lifetime release orders mean that heinous offenders such as these two could be released back into the community; and (c) given there are instances where, in the case of a life prisoner, a court may order that an offender never be released, and, in the case of an indefinite prisoner, a court may find that they would be a danger to the community if released: (i) will certain exclusions apply in relation to lifetime release orders; and (ii) if no to (i), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

14 October 2025

Responded by

Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney General

Response time

4 days

(a) A business case and budget submission will be provided to Government for consideration.
(b) – (c) The Attorney General’s discretion will not be affected. The Department of Justice is developing options to meet this election commitment which will be presented to the Government for consideration.

View on Parliament of WA