❓ Hon Nick Goiran questions the Minister for Police regarding the naming of Barrie John Watts, who has an outstanding return to prison warrant, and discrepancies in previous statements about naming individuals with such warrants. The Minister confirms Watts is in custody interstate and that his name was previously published in the media.
AnsweredQoN 1147Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Police—Return to prison warrants
1147. Hon Nick Goiran to
the minister representing the Minister for Police:
I refer to the
minister's answer on 20 November 2025 to my question without notice 1123, which
for the first time in more than two years of questioning revealed that the
oldest return to prison warrant is for Barrie John Watts.
(1) Is the minister aware that the Commissioner of
Police said during budget estimates on 26 August 2025 that the reason some are
not named is because they "are in custody in other locations" and
"we do not need assistance because we know exactly where they are"?
(2) Is Mr Watts currently in custody interstate?
(3) What was the catalyst for suddenly after all
this time naming Barrie John Watts after previously refusing to name him
despite multiple opposition requests and his warrant being outstanding for more
than 13,000 days?
1147. Hon Nick Goiran to
the minister representing the Minister for Police:
I refer to the
minister's answer on 20 November 2025 to my question without notice 1123, which
for the first time in more than two years of questioning revealed that the
oldest return to prison warrant is for Barrie John Watts.
(1) Is the minister aware that the Commissioner of
Police said during budget estimates on 26 August 2025 that the reason some are
not named is because they "are in custody in other locations" and
"we do not need assistance because we know exactly where they are"?
(2) Is Mr Watts currently in custody interstate?
(3) What was the catalyst for suddenly after all
this time naming Barrie John Watts after previously refusing to name him
despite multiple opposition requests and his warrant being outstanding for more
than 13,000 days?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me
by the Minister for Police.
(1) Yes.
(2) Yes.
(3) Mr Watts' name was published by The West Australian newspaper on 7 September 2024
and was subsequently confirmed in parliamentary question without notice 1123.
for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me
by the Minister for Police.
(1) Yes.
(2) Yes.
(3) Mr Watts' name was published by The West Australian newspaper on 7 September 2024
and was subsequently confirmed in parliamentary question without notice 1123.
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