Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 315

❓ Hon Nick Goiran asks about the catalyst, consultation process, and resolution of concerns regarding amendments to the Evidence (Prescribed Persons) Amendment Regulations 2025. The Attorney General's answer indicates the amendments were routine to update the list of forensic scientists at PathWest, with consultation limited to the head of PathWest's Forensic Biology Department.

AnsweredQoN 315Legislative Council

Asked

18 June 2025

Member

Hon Nick Goiran

Portfolio

Attorney General

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the Evidence (Prescribed Persons) Amendment Regulations 2025 , and I ask: (a) what was the catalyst for bringing about these amendments to the regulations; (b) who was consulted prior to these amendment regulations being finalised; (c) in reference to (b), did any person consulted raise any concerns; (d) if yes to (c), what were these concerns; (e) in reference to (d), have the finalised amendment regulations addressed these concerns; and (f) if no to (e), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

12 August 2025

Responded by

Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney General

Response time

5 days

a) The head of PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA (PathWest)’s Forensic Biology Department requested that the Evidence (Prescribed Persons) Amendment Regulations 2025 be published to update the list of persons employed as forensic scientists at PathWest. Regulatory amendments are necessary to ensure that a certificate signed by a forensic scientist can be used as evidence in a criminal proceeding.
b) The head of PathWest’s Forensic Biology Department was consulted during drafting.
c)-f) Not applicable.

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