❓ Ms Mettam questions the Minister for Corrective Services about the lack of electronic monitoring for a repeat domestic violence offender released on bail in regional WA. The Minister clarifies monitoring availability but emphasizes the court's bail decision.
AnsweredQoN 535Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Electronic monitoring
535. Ms Libby Mettam to
the Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer to another
example of the courts having released an alleged repeat domestic violence
offender in regional Western Australia without electronic monitoring, putting
the victim in a situation in which police have advised her to move interstate
for her own safety. Why was electronic monitoring not possible for this
offender, who lives in regional WA?
535. Ms Libby Mettam to
the Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer to another
example of the courts having released an alleged repeat domestic violence
offender in regional Western Australia without electronic monitoring, putting
the victim in a situation in which police have advised her to move interstate
for her own safety. Why was electronic monitoring not possible for this
offender, who lives in regional WA?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for her question. At the outset, I would just like to acknowledge Kelly North's
account as absolutely harrowing and very distressful to hear of. With respect
to the member's question, that is another inaccuracy. Monitoring is available
in regional Western Australia but the key element of any discussion regarding
this matter is that the individual was released on bail. Under our laws, the
first consideration by the courts must be whether it is safe to release
somebody. In the event that it is deemed safe, what we have done is enable
electronic monitoring as an additional condition to be applied to that
individual. It is the court's decision to release someone on bail. That is
entirely its responsibility and decision. If the member wants to find out what
drove the decision, she should approach the courts.
for her question. At the outset, I would just like to acknowledge Kelly North's
account as absolutely harrowing and very distressful to hear of. With respect
to the member's question, that is another inaccuracy. Monitoring is available
in regional Western Australia but the key element of any discussion regarding
this matter is that the individual was released on bail. Under our laws, the
first consideration by the courts must be whether it is safe to release
somebody. In the event that it is deemed safe, what we have done is enable
electronic monitoring as an additional condition to be applied to that
individual. It is the court's decision to release someone on bail. That is
entirely its responsibility and decision. If the member wants to find out what
drove the decision, she should approach the courts.
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