❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding the potential parole eligibility of David and Catherine Birnie, with the Attorney General responding that no preparatory programs have commenced and he will not consider their release during his term.
AnsweredQoN 55Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I remind the Attorney General that in March 1987 David and Catherine Birnie were sentenced to strict security life imprisonment for, among other offences, the horrific murders of young women. I understand that the sentencing judge said that in his opinion David John Birnie is such a danger to society that he should never be released from prison. Of Catherine Birnie I understand he said that in his opinion she should never be released to be with David Birnie and she should never be allowed to see him again. (1) Can the Attorney General confirm, or is he aware, that the Birnies will be eligible for parole in approximately 23 months? (2) Has there been any consideration that Catherine and David Birnie should be paroled, and have any preparatory programs been commenced or considered in this regard? Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : I am asking a serious question. It continues - (3) Will the Attorney General guarantee here and now that he will reject any application for prerelease or parole made by the Birnies? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I have seen media speculation to the effect that the minimum term imposed upon the two Birnies by the sentencing judges comes up in approximately two years. Based on media reports - I have seen nothing formal beyond them - I assume that is correct. As to whether there have been any preparatory programs, the answer is no. Ms S.E. Walker : Are you sure? Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am unaware of any. I can only answer to the best of my knowledge. Mr P.D. Omodei : You monitor these things via the newspaper, do you? Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
(1) Can the Attorney General confirm, or is he aware, that the Birnies will be eligible for parole in approximately 23 months? (2) Has there been any consideration that Catherine and David Birnie should be paroled, and have any preparatory programs been commenced or considered in this regard? Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : I am asking a serious question. It continues - (3) Will the Attorney General guarantee here and now that he will reject any application for prerelease or parole made by the Birnies? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I have seen media speculation to the effect that the minimum term imposed upon the two Birnies by the sentencing judges comes up in approximately two years. Based on media reports - I have seen nothing formal beyond them - I assume that is correct. As to whether there have been any preparatory programs, the answer is no. Ms S.E. Walker : Are you sure? Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am unaware of any. I can only answer to the best of my knowledge. Mr P.D. Omodei : You monitor these things via the newspaper, do you? Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
(2) Has there been any consideration that Catherine and David Birnie should be paroled, and have any preparatory programs been commenced or considered in this regard? Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : I am asking a serious question. It continues - (3) Will the Attorney General guarantee here and now that he will reject any application for prerelease or parole made by the Birnies? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I have seen media speculation to the effect that the minimum term imposed upon the two Birnies by the sentencing judges comes up in approximately two years. Based on media reports - I have seen nothing formal beyond them - I assume that is correct. As to whether there have been any preparatory programs, the answer is no. Ms S.E. Walker : Are you sure? Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am unaware of any. I can only answer to the best of my knowledge. Mr P.D. Omodei : You monitor these things via the newspaper, do you? Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : I am asking a serious question. It continues - (3) Will the Attorney General guarantee here and now that he will reject any application for prerelease or parole made by the Birnies? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I have seen media speculation to the effect that the minimum term imposed upon the two Birnies by the sentencing judges comes up in approximately two years. Based on media reports - I have seen nothing formal beyond them - I assume that is correct. As to whether there have been any preparatory programs, the answer is no. Ms S.E. Walker : Are you sure? Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am unaware of any. I can only answer to the best of my knowledge. Mr P.D. Omodei : You monitor these things via the newspaper, do you? Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
Ms S.E. WALKER : I am asking a serious question. It continues - (3) Will the Attorney General guarantee here and now that he will reject any application for prerelease or parole made by the Birnies? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I have seen media speculation to the effect that the minimum term imposed upon the two Birnies by the sentencing judges comes up in approximately two years. Based on media reports - I have seen nothing formal beyond them - I assume that is correct. As to whether there have been any preparatory programs, the answer is no. Ms S.E. Walker : Are you sure? Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am unaware of any. I can only answer to the best of my knowledge. Mr P.D. Omodei : You monitor these things via the newspaper, do you? Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
(3) Will the Attorney General guarantee here and now that he will reject any application for prerelease or parole made by the Birnies? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I have seen media speculation to the effect that the minimum term imposed upon the two Birnies by the sentencing judges comes up in approximately two years. Based on media reports - I have seen nothing formal beyond them - I assume that is correct. As to whether there have been any preparatory programs, the answer is no. Ms S.E. Walker : Are you sure? Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am unaware of any. I can only answer to the best of my knowledge. Mr P.D. Omodei : You monitor these things via the newspaper, do you? Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I have seen media speculation to the effect that the minimum term imposed upon the two Birnies by the sentencing judges comes up in approximately two years. Based on media reports - I have seen nothing formal beyond them - I assume that is correct. As to whether there have been any preparatory programs, the answer is no. Ms S.E. Walker : Are you sure? Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am unaware of any. I can only answer to the best of my knowledge. Mr P.D. Omodei : You monitor these things via the newspaper, do you? Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
(1)-(3) I have seen media speculation to the effect that the minimum term imposed upon the two Birnies by the sentencing judges comes up in approximately two years. Based on media reports - I have seen nothing formal beyond them - I assume that is correct. As to whether there have been any preparatory programs, the answer is no. Ms S.E. Walker : Are you sure? Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am unaware of any. I can only answer to the best of my knowledge. Mr P.D. Omodei : You monitor these things via the newspaper, do you? Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
Ms S.E. Walker : Are you sure? Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am unaware of any. I can only answer to the best of my knowledge. Mr P.D. Omodei : You monitor these things via the newspaper, do you? Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am unaware of any. I can only answer to the best of my knowledge. Mr P.D. Omodei : You monitor these things via the newspaper, do you? Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
Mr P.D. Omodei : You monitor these things via the newspaper, do you? Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
(1) Can the Attorney General confirm, or is he aware, that the Birnies will be eligible for parole in approximately 23 months? (2) Has there been any consideration that Catherine and David Birnie should be paroled, and have any preparatory programs been commenced or considered in this regard? Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : I am asking a serious question. It continues - (3) Will the Attorney General guarantee here and now that he will reject any application for prerelease or parole made by the Birnies? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I have seen media speculation to the effect that the minimum term imposed upon the two Birnies by the sentencing judges comes up in approximately two years. Based on media reports - I have seen nothing formal beyond them - I assume that is correct. As to whether there have been any preparatory programs, the answer is no. Ms S.E. Walker : Are you sure? Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am unaware of any. I can only answer to the best of my knowledge. Mr P.D. Omodei : You monitor these things via the newspaper, do you? Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
(2) Has there been any consideration that Catherine and David Birnie should be paroled, and have any preparatory programs been commenced or considered in this regard? Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : I am asking a serious question. It continues - (3) Will the Attorney General guarantee here and now that he will reject any application for prerelease or parole made by the Birnies? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I have seen media speculation to the effect that the minimum term imposed upon the two Birnies by the sentencing judges comes up in approximately two years. Based on media reports - I have seen nothing formal beyond them - I assume that is correct. As to whether there have been any preparatory programs, the answer is no. Ms S.E. Walker : Are you sure? Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am unaware of any. I can only answer to the best of my knowledge. Mr P.D. Omodei : You monitor these things via the newspaper, do you? Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : I am asking a serious question. It continues - (3) Will the Attorney General guarantee here and now that he will reject any application for prerelease or parole made by the Birnies? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I have seen media speculation to the effect that the minimum term imposed upon the two Birnies by the sentencing judges comes up in approximately two years. Based on media reports - I have seen nothing formal beyond them - I assume that is correct. As to whether there have been any preparatory programs, the answer is no. Ms S.E. Walker : Are you sure? Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am unaware of any. I can only answer to the best of my knowledge. Mr P.D. Omodei : You monitor these things via the newspaper, do you? Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
Ms S.E. WALKER : I am asking a serious question. It continues - (3) Will the Attorney General guarantee here and now that he will reject any application for prerelease or parole made by the Birnies? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I have seen media speculation to the effect that the minimum term imposed upon the two Birnies by the sentencing judges comes up in approximately two years. Based on media reports - I have seen nothing formal beyond them - I assume that is correct. As to whether there have been any preparatory programs, the answer is no. Ms S.E. Walker : Are you sure? Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am unaware of any. I can only answer to the best of my knowledge. Mr P.D. Omodei : You monitor these things via the newspaper, do you? Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
(3) Will the Attorney General guarantee here and now that he will reject any application for prerelease or parole made by the Birnies? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I have seen media speculation to the effect that the minimum term imposed upon the two Birnies by the sentencing judges comes up in approximately two years. Based on media reports - I have seen nothing formal beyond them - I assume that is correct. As to whether there have been any preparatory programs, the answer is no. Ms S.E. Walker : Are you sure? Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am unaware of any. I can only answer to the best of my knowledge. Mr P.D. Omodei : You monitor these things via the newspaper, do you? Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I have seen media speculation to the effect that the minimum term imposed upon the two Birnies by the sentencing judges comes up in approximately two years. Based on media reports - I have seen nothing formal beyond them - I assume that is correct. As to whether there have been any preparatory programs, the answer is no. Ms S.E. Walker : Are you sure? Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am unaware of any. I can only answer to the best of my knowledge. Mr P.D. Omodei : You monitor these things via the newspaper, do you? Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
(1)-(3) I have seen media speculation to the effect that the minimum term imposed upon the two Birnies by the sentencing judges comes up in approximately two years. Based on media reports - I have seen nothing formal beyond them - I assume that is correct. As to whether there have been any preparatory programs, the answer is no. Ms S.E. Walker : Are you sure? Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am unaware of any. I can only answer to the best of my knowledge. Mr P.D. Omodei : You monitor these things via the newspaper, do you? Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
Ms S.E. Walker : Are you sure? Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am unaware of any. I can only answer to the best of my knowledge. Mr P.D. Omodei : You monitor these things via the newspaper, do you? Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am unaware of any. I can only answer to the best of my knowledge. Mr P.D. Omodei : You monitor these things via the newspaper, do you? Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
Mr P.D. Omodei : You monitor these things via the newspaper, do you? Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : No report has been given to me. I presume the question asked by the member for Nedlands is based on similar considerations, so I presume it is correct. To the best of my knowledge no preparatory work has been done on programs. I have already made very clear publicly that the Birnies will not be considered for release on parole during my term as Attorney General.
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