❓ Mrs Roberts questions the Minister for Police about specific bail law changes requested by the Commissioner of Police, accusing the Minister of obfuscation. The Minister responds that changes are being proposed and prioritises other legislation, criticising the opposition's actions.
AnsweredQoN 583Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BAIL ACT — COMMISSIONER OF POLICE'S
COMMENTS
583. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS to the Minister for
Police:
I have a supplementary question. In
February, for the minister's information, Karl O'Callaghan said
in the newspaper that he had made a call for an overhaul of Western Australia's
bail laws, claiming officers wasted far too much time chasing repeat offenders
only to see them back in court again. What are the changes the commissioner has
asked the minister for? If she knows what they are, why will she not tell the
house? Why is she hiding behind some gobbledygook answer?
COMMENTS
583. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS to the Minister for
Police:
I have a supplementary question. In
February, for the minister's information, Karl O'Callaghan said
in the newspaper that he had made a call for an overhaul of Western Australia's
bail laws, claiming officers wasted far too much time chasing repeat offenders
only to see them back in court again. What are the changes the commissioner has
asked the minister for? If she knows what they are, why will she not tell the
house? Why is she hiding behind some gobbledygook answer?
AnswerView source ↗
I think I articulated quite
succinctly that a number of changes to the Bail Act are either before
Parliament or are being proposed to Parliament.
Mrs
M.H. Roberts interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Midland, I call you to order for the first time. Has
the minister anything further to say?
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : To go back to what I said, and perhaps the member would like
to listen, I said that the commissioner told me he wanted to tighten up bail
conditions and ensure that there were more serious consequences for offenders
who breach bail. Police find that when they are dealing with recidivist
offenders, the court will often impose conditions such as a curfew or a geographical
restriction on where they can go.
Mrs
M.H. Roberts interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Midland, I call you to order for the second time. A
quick answer, thank you.
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : The offender might be required to not reoffend or be subject
to a range of initiatives. As I said earlier, and I will say again, when I am
ready to bring those changes to this place, I will do so. At the moment, where
has our priority been? Our priority was interrupted today by a stupid political
stunt while we were dealing with legislation to deal with methamphetamine
transportation around the state. That is where the opposition's
priorities are. Our priorities are road traffic legislation and methamphetamine
transit route legislation.
Mrs
M.H. Roberts interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Midland, I call you to order for the third time.
Minister, you have 10 seconds.
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : I will bring the legislation to this place in due course, and
I expect the support of the opposition when I do so.
succinctly that a number of changes to the Bail Act are either before
Parliament or are being proposed to Parliament.
Mrs
M.H. Roberts interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Midland, I call you to order for the first time. Has
the minister anything further to say?
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : To go back to what I said, and perhaps the member would like
to listen, I said that the commissioner told me he wanted to tighten up bail
conditions and ensure that there were more serious consequences for offenders
who breach bail. Police find that when they are dealing with recidivist
offenders, the court will often impose conditions such as a curfew or a geographical
restriction on where they can go.
Mrs
M.H. Roberts interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Midland, I call you to order for the second time. A
quick answer, thank you.
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : The offender might be required to not reoffend or be subject
to a range of initiatives. As I said earlier, and I will say again, when I am
ready to bring those changes to this place, I will do so. At the moment, where
has our priority been? Our priority was interrupted today by a stupid political
stunt while we were dealing with legislation to deal with methamphetamine
transportation around the state. That is where the opposition's
priorities are. Our priorities are road traffic legislation and methamphetamine
transit route legislation.
Mrs
M.H. Roberts interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Midland, I call you to order for the third time.
Minister, you have 10 seconds.
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : I will bring the legislation to this place in due course, and
I expect the support of the opposition when I do so.
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