❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding the impending parole of Joaquin Avila, convicted of murdering his wife. The Attorney General confirms the parole and defends the decision based on legal requirements, Avila's age, health, low risk assessment, and parole conditions.
AnsweredQoN 719Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
JOAQUIN AVILA - PAROLE
I have been asked to mention that tomorrow is National Police Remembrance Day. The Attorney General received this question at 11.00 am today. I refer to the life sentence of imprisonment given to Mr Joaquin Avila on 25 June 1999 for killing his wife by 18 repeated blows to her head with an axe. I acknowledge that his daughter has come into Parliament today and is in the public gallery now to hear the Attorney General’s response to these questions. (1) Can the Attorney General confirm that this dangerous prisoner is to be shortly released on parole? (2) Did he sanction this release; and, if so, why? (3) Is the Attorney General aware that his daughter is terrified of her father? (4) If he is to be released, how can he ensure that his daughter and other members of the community will be protected? Mr J.A. McGINTY
I have been asked to mention that tomorrow is National Police Remembrance Day. The Attorney General received this question at 11.00 am today. I refer to the life sentence of imprisonment given to Mr Joaquin Avila on 25 June 1999 for killing his wife by 18 repeated blows to her head with an axe. I acknowledge that his daughter has come into Parliament today and is in the public gallery now to hear the Attorney General’s response to these questions. (1) Can the Attorney General confirm that this dangerous prisoner is to be shortly released on parole? (2) Did he sanction this release; and, if so, why? (3) Is the Attorney General aware that his daughter is terrified of her father? (4) If he is to be released, how can he ensure that his daughter and other members of the community will be protected? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(4) I can confirm that the Executive Council approved a Parole Board recommendation that Mr Avila be released on parole next month. Ms S.E. Walker : You signed off on it? Mr J.A. McGINTY : Yes. When Joaquin Avila was sentenced in June 1999, the sentencing judge was required to set a minimum term of imprisonment of between seven and 14 years. In this case, the judge imposed a minimum term of eight years and backdated the sentence to 30 October 1998. Mr Avila murdered his wife of 43 years in horrific circumstances. While his children were naturally devastated at the loss of their mother, at the time of sentencing, they pleaded that their father be dealt with compassionately. Mr Avila’s two daughters have advised that neither is happy at the thought of their father being released. Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
The Attorney General received this question at 11.00 am today. I refer to the life sentence of imprisonment given to Mr Joaquin Avila on 25 June 1999 for killing his wife by 18 repeated blows to her head with an axe. I acknowledge that his daughter has come into Parliament today and is in the public gallery now to hear the Attorney General’s response to these questions. (1) Can the Attorney General confirm that this dangerous prisoner is to be shortly released on parole? (2) Did he sanction this release; and, if so, why? (3) Is the Attorney General aware that his daughter is terrified of her father? (4) If he is to be released, how can he ensure that his daughter and other members of the community will be protected? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) I can confirm that the Executive Council approved a Parole Board recommendation that Mr Avila be released on parole next month. Ms S.E. Walker : You signed off on it? Mr J.A. McGINTY : Yes. When Joaquin Avila was sentenced in June 1999, the sentencing judge was required to set a minimum term of imprisonment of between seven and 14 years. In this case, the judge imposed a minimum term of eight years and backdated the sentence to 30 October 1998. Mr Avila murdered his wife of 43 years in horrific circumstances. While his children were naturally devastated at the loss of their mother, at the time of sentencing, they pleaded that their father be dealt with compassionately. Mr Avila’s two daughters have advised that neither is happy at the thought of their father being released. Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
(1) Can the Attorney General confirm that this dangerous prisoner is to be shortly released on parole? (2) Did he sanction this release; and, if so, why? (3) Is the Attorney General aware that his daughter is terrified of her father? (4) If he is to be released, how can he ensure that his daughter and other members of the community will be protected? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) I can confirm that the Executive Council approved a Parole Board recommendation that Mr Avila be released on parole next month. Ms S.E. Walker : You signed off on it? Mr J.A. McGINTY : Yes. When Joaquin Avila was sentenced in June 1999, the sentencing judge was required to set a minimum term of imprisonment of between seven and 14 years. In this case, the judge imposed a minimum term of eight years and backdated the sentence to 30 October 1998. Mr Avila murdered his wife of 43 years in horrific circumstances. While his children were naturally devastated at the loss of their mother, at the time of sentencing, they pleaded that their father be dealt with compassionately. Mr Avila’s two daughters have advised that neither is happy at the thought of their father being released. Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
(2) Did he sanction this release; and, if so, why? (3) Is the Attorney General aware that his daughter is terrified of her father? (4) If he is to be released, how can he ensure that his daughter and other members of the community will be protected? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) I can confirm that the Executive Council approved a Parole Board recommendation that Mr Avila be released on parole next month. Ms S.E. Walker : You signed off on it? Mr J.A. McGINTY : Yes. When Joaquin Avila was sentenced in June 1999, the sentencing judge was required to set a minimum term of imprisonment of between seven and 14 years. In this case, the judge imposed a minimum term of eight years and backdated the sentence to 30 October 1998. Mr Avila murdered his wife of 43 years in horrific circumstances. While his children were naturally devastated at the loss of their mother, at the time of sentencing, they pleaded that their father be dealt with compassionately. Mr Avila’s two daughters have advised that neither is happy at the thought of their father being released. Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
(3) Is the Attorney General aware that his daughter is terrified of her father? (4) If he is to be released, how can he ensure that his daughter and other members of the community will be protected? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) I can confirm that the Executive Council approved a Parole Board recommendation that Mr Avila be released on parole next month. Ms S.E. Walker : You signed off on it? Mr J.A. McGINTY : Yes. When Joaquin Avila was sentenced in June 1999, the sentencing judge was required to set a minimum term of imprisonment of between seven and 14 years. In this case, the judge imposed a minimum term of eight years and backdated the sentence to 30 October 1998. Mr Avila murdered his wife of 43 years in horrific circumstances. While his children were naturally devastated at the loss of their mother, at the time of sentencing, they pleaded that their father be dealt with compassionately. Mr Avila’s two daughters have advised that neither is happy at the thought of their father being released. Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
(4) If he is to be released, how can he ensure that his daughter and other members of the community will be protected? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) I can confirm that the Executive Council approved a Parole Board recommendation that Mr Avila be released on parole next month. Ms S.E. Walker : You signed off on it? Mr J.A. McGINTY : Yes. When Joaquin Avila was sentenced in June 1999, the sentencing judge was required to set a minimum term of imprisonment of between seven and 14 years. In this case, the judge imposed a minimum term of eight years and backdated the sentence to 30 October 1998. Mr Avila murdered his wife of 43 years in horrific circumstances. While his children were naturally devastated at the loss of their mother, at the time of sentencing, they pleaded that their father be dealt with compassionately. Mr Avila’s two daughters have advised that neither is happy at the thought of their father being released. Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) I can confirm that the Executive Council approved a Parole Board recommendation that Mr Avila be released on parole next month. Ms S.E. Walker : You signed off on it? Mr J.A. McGINTY : Yes. When Joaquin Avila was sentenced in June 1999, the sentencing judge was required to set a minimum term of imprisonment of between seven and 14 years. In this case, the judge imposed a minimum term of eight years and backdated the sentence to 30 October 1998. Mr Avila murdered his wife of 43 years in horrific circumstances. While his children were naturally devastated at the loss of their mother, at the time of sentencing, they pleaded that their father be dealt with compassionately. Mr Avila’s two daughters have advised that neither is happy at the thought of their father being released. Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
(1)-(4) I can confirm that the Executive Council approved a Parole Board recommendation that Mr Avila be released on parole next month. Ms S.E. Walker : You signed off on it? Mr J.A. McGINTY : Yes. When Joaquin Avila was sentenced in June 1999, the sentencing judge was required to set a minimum term of imprisonment of between seven and 14 years. In this case, the judge imposed a minimum term of eight years and backdated the sentence to 30 October 1998. Mr Avila murdered his wife of 43 years in horrific circumstances. While his children were naturally devastated at the loss of their mother, at the time of sentencing, they pleaded that their father be dealt with compassionately. Mr Avila’s two daughters have advised that neither is happy at the thought of their father being released. Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
Ms S.E. Walker : You signed off on it? Mr J.A. McGINTY : Yes. When Joaquin Avila was sentenced in June 1999, the sentencing judge was required to set a minimum term of imprisonment of between seven and 14 years. In this case, the judge imposed a minimum term of eight years and backdated the sentence to 30 October 1998. Mr Avila murdered his wife of 43 years in horrific circumstances. While his children were naturally devastated at the loss of their mother, at the time of sentencing, they pleaded that their father be dealt with compassionately. Mr Avila’s two daughters have advised that neither is happy at the thought of their father being released. Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : Yes. When Joaquin Avila was sentenced in June 1999, the sentencing judge was required to set a minimum term of imprisonment of between seven and 14 years. In this case, the judge imposed a minimum term of eight years and backdated the sentence to 30 October 1998. Mr Avila murdered his wife of 43 years in horrific circumstances. While his children were naturally devastated at the loss of their mother, at the time of sentencing, they pleaded that their father be dealt with compassionately. Mr Avila’s two daughters have advised that neither is happy at the thought of their father being released. Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
When Joaquin Avila was sentenced in June 1999, the sentencing judge was required to set a minimum term of imprisonment of between seven and 14 years. In this case, the judge imposed a minimum term of eight years and backdated the sentence to 30 October 1998. Mr Avila murdered his wife of 43 years in horrific circumstances. While his children were naturally devastated at the loss of their mother, at the time of sentencing, they pleaded that their father be dealt with compassionately. Mr Avila’s two daughters have advised that neither is happy at the thought of their father being released. Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
The Attorney General received this question at 11.00 am today. I refer to the life sentence of imprisonment given to Mr Joaquin Avila on 25 June 1999 for killing his wife by 18 repeated blows to her head with an axe. I acknowledge that his daughter has come into Parliament today and is in the public gallery now to hear the Attorney General’s response to these questions. (1) Can the Attorney General confirm that this dangerous prisoner is to be shortly released on parole? (2) Did he sanction this release; and, if so, why? (3) Is the Attorney General aware that his daughter is terrified of her father? (4) If he is to be released, how can he ensure that his daughter and other members of the community will be protected? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) I can confirm that the Executive Council approved a Parole Board recommendation that Mr Avila be released on parole next month. Ms S.E. Walker : You signed off on it? Mr J.A. McGINTY : Yes. When Joaquin Avila was sentenced in June 1999, the sentencing judge was required to set a minimum term of imprisonment of between seven and 14 years. In this case, the judge imposed a minimum term of eight years and backdated the sentence to 30 October 1998. Mr Avila murdered his wife of 43 years in horrific circumstances. While his children were naturally devastated at the loss of their mother, at the time of sentencing, they pleaded that their father be dealt with compassionately. Mr Avila’s two daughters have advised that neither is happy at the thought of their father being released. Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
(1) Can the Attorney General confirm that this dangerous prisoner is to be shortly released on parole? (2) Did he sanction this release; and, if so, why? (3) Is the Attorney General aware that his daughter is terrified of her father? (4) If he is to be released, how can he ensure that his daughter and other members of the community will be protected? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) I can confirm that the Executive Council approved a Parole Board recommendation that Mr Avila be released on parole next month. Ms S.E. Walker : You signed off on it? Mr J.A. McGINTY : Yes. When Joaquin Avila was sentenced in June 1999, the sentencing judge was required to set a minimum term of imprisonment of between seven and 14 years. In this case, the judge imposed a minimum term of eight years and backdated the sentence to 30 October 1998. Mr Avila murdered his wife of 43 years in horrific circumstances. While his children were naturally devastated at the loss of their mother, at the time of sentencing, they pleaded that their father be dealt with compassionately. Mr Avila’s two daughters have advised that neither is happy at the thought of their father being released. Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
(2) Did he sanction this release; and, if so, why? (3) Is the Attorney General aware that his daughter is terrified of her father? (4) If he is to be released, how can he ensure that his daughter and other members of the community will be protected? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) I can confirm that the Executive Council approved a Parole Board recommendation that Mr Avila be released on parole next month. Ms S.E. Walker : You signed off on it? Mr J.A. McGINTY : Yes. When Joaquin Avila was sentenced in June 1999, the sentencing judge was required to set a minimum term of imprisonment of between seven and 14 years. In this case, the judge imposed a minimum term of eight years and backdated the sentence to 30 October 1998. Mr Avila murdered his wife of 43 years in horrific circumstances. While his children were naturally devastated at the loss of their mother, at the time of sentencing, they pleaded that their father be dealt with compassionately. Mr Avila’s two daughters have advised that neither is happy at the thought of their father being released. Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
(3) Is the Attorney General aware that his daughter is terrified of her father? (4) If he is to be released, how can he ensure that his daughter and other members of the community will be protected? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) I can confirm that the Executive Council approved a Parole Board recommendation that Mr Avila be released on parole next month. Ms S.E. Walker : You signed off on it? Mr J.A. McGINTY : Yes. When Joaquin Avila was sentenced in June 1999, the sentencing judge was required to set a minimum term of imprisonment of between seven and 14 years. In this case, the judge imposed a minimum term of eight years and backdated the sentence to 30 October 1998. Mr Avila murdered his wife of 43 years in horrific circumstances. While his children were naturally devastated at the loss of their mother, at the time of sentencing, they pleaded that their father be dealt with compassionately. Mr Avila’s two daughters have advised that neither is happy at the thought of their father being released. Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
(4) If he is to be released, how can he ensure that his daughter and other members of the community will be protected? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) I can confirm that the Executive Council approved a Parole Board recommendation that Mr Avila be released on parole next month. Ms S.E. Walker : You signed off on it? Mr J.A. McGINTY : Yes. When Joaquin Avila was sentenced in June 1999, the sentencing judge was required to set a minimum term of imprisonment of between seven and 14 years. In this case, the judge imposed a minimum term of eight years and backdated the sentence to 30 October 1998. Mr Avila murdered his wife of 43 years in horrific circumstances. While his children were naturally devastated at the loss of their mother, at the time of sentencing, they pleaded that their father be dealt with compassionately. Mr Avila’s two daughters have advised that neither is happy at the thought of their father being released. Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) I can confirm that the Executive Council approved a Parole Board recommendation that Mr Avila be released on parole next month. Ms S.E. Walker : You signed off on it? Mr J.A. McGINTY : Yes. When Joaquin Avila was sentenced in June 1999, the sentencing judge was required to set a minimum term of imprisonment of between seven and 14 years. In this case, the judge imposed a minimum term of eight years and backdated the sentence to 30 October 1998. Mr Avila murdered his wife of 43 years in horrific circumstances. While his children were naturally devastated at the loss of their mother, at the time of sentencing, they pleaded that their father be dealt with compassionately. Mr Avila’s two daughters have advised that neither is happy at the thought of their father being released. Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
(1)-(4) I can confirm that the Executive Council approved a Parole Board recommendation that Mr Avila be released on parole next month. Ms S.E. Walker : You signed off on it? Mr J.A. McGINTY : Yes. When Joaquin Avila was sentenced in June 1999, the sentencing judge was required to set a minimum term of imprisonment of between seven and 14 years. In this case, the judge imposed a minimum term of eight years and backdated the sentence to 30 October 1998. Mr Avila murdered his wife of 43 years in horrific circumstances. While his children were naturally devastated at the loss of their mother, at the time of sentencing, they pleaded that their father be dealt with compassionately. Mr Avila’s two daughters have advised that neither is happy at the thought of their father being released. Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
Ms S.E. Walker : You signed off on it? Mr J.A. McGINTY : Yes. When Joaquin Avila was sentenced in June 1999, the sentencing judge was required to set a minimum term of imprisonment of between seven and 14 years. In this case, the judge imposed a minimum term of eight years and backdated the sentence to 30 October 1998. Mr Avila murdered his wife of 43 years in horrific circumstances. While his children were naturally devastated at the loss of their mother, at the time of sentencing, they pleaded that their father be dealt with compassionately. Mr Avila’s two daughters have advised that neither is happy at the thought of their father being released. Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : Yes. When Joaquin Avila was sentenced in June 1999, the sentencing judge was required to set a minimum term of imprisonment of between seven and 14 years. In this case, the judge imposed a minimum term of eight years and backdated the sentence to 30 October 1998. Mr Avila murdered his wife of 43 years in horrific circumstances. While his children were naturally devastated at the loss of their mother, at the time of sentencing, they pleaded that their father be dealt with compassionately. Mr Avila’s two daughters have advised that neither is happy at the thought of their father being released. Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
When Joaquin Avila was sentenced in June 1999, the sentencing judge was required to set a minimum term of imprisonment of between seven and 14 years. In this case, the judge imposed a minimum term of eight years and backdated the sentence to 30 October 1998. Mr Avila murdered his wife of 43 years in horrific circumstances. While his children were naturally devastated at the loss of their mother, at the time of sentencing, they pleaded that their father be dealt with compassionately. Mr Avila’s two daughters have advised that neither is happy at the thought of their father being released. Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
Mr Avila is now 78 years of age and suffers from diabetes and heart disease. His last prison medical report of May 2006 indicated that he had become more physically frail over the past three years. The Parole Board is also of the view that he is probably experiencing some form of dementia. Two separate risk assessment reports state that he poses a low risk of reoffending. Mr Avila has no other criminal record in Western Australia and there is no evidence to suggest that he was engaged in violent behaviour prior to the murder of his wife. During his eight years behind bars, Mr Avila has not incurred any prison charges and has received excellent prison conduct reports. Upon his release, Mr Avila intends to live in his own home and will receive support from one of his sons who lives nearby. Because of concerns raised by Mr Avila’s other children, one of the conditions of Mr Avila’s parole is that he have no direct contact with any member of his former wife’s immediate family, with the exception of his son, who has been in regular contact with Mr Avila and wishes to support him upon his release. Any breach of this parole condition will result in Mr Avila being returned to prison. Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
Ms S.E. Walker : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
The SPEAKER : Question time is now over. I indicate that I am somewhat concerned that there would have been five supplementary questions from five questions, and that is a complete abuse of the supplementary question system. In future, if I get four questions with four supplementaries, there will be only four questions.
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