❓ Mr. Katsambanis questions the Attorney General on why the Sentence Administration Amendment (Multiple Murderers) Bill 2018 doesn't include heinous crimes like Dante Arthurs' case, as Arthurs is eligible for parole soon. The Attorney General deflects, questioning the Liberal Party's stance on the bill.
AnsweredQoN 802Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SENTENCE ADMINISTRATION
AMENDMENT (MULTIPLE MURDERERS) BILL 2018 —PAROLE REVIEWS
802. Mr P.A. KATSAMBANIS to the Attorney General:
Before I ask my question, I would
like on behalf of the member for Dawesville to welcome the staff and students
of Ocean Road Primary School who are seated in the gallery today. Welcome to
Parliament!
I refer to the introduction of the
Attorney General's Sentence Administration Amendment (Multiple Murderers)
Bill 2018 and specifically to the horrific child murderer Dante Arthurs. Why
has the Attorney General's legislation not gone far enough to include
heinous crimes like that committed by Dante Arthurs, who is actually eligible
for parole in just over six months' time?
AMENDMENT (MULTIPLE MURDERERS) BILL 2018 —PAROLE REVIEWS
802. Mr P.A. KATSAMBANIS to the Attorney General:
Before I ask my question, I would
like on behalf of the member for Dawesville to welcome the staff and students
of Ocean Road Primary School who are seated in the gallery today. Welcome to
Parliament!
I refer to the introduction of the
Attorney General's Sentence Administration Amendment (Multiple Murderers)
Bill 2018 and specifically to the horrific child murderer Dante Arthurs. Why
has the Attorney General's legislation not gone far enough to include
heinous crimes like that committed by Dante Arthurs, who is actually eligible
for parole in just over six months' time?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for his question.
In 2016, the Premier in his then
capacity as Leader of the Opposition was approached by Kate Moir, the survivor
of Catherine and David Birnie, with a request: what would we do in relation to
the parole situation for multiple murderers? Kate Moir had been to see the then
Attorney General, Michael Mischin, about the three-year review laws for
multiple murderers. I quote from an article that appeared in PerthNow on 16
February 2017 —
Attorney–General
Michael Mischin said last week he had told Ms Moir he would not change the
parole laws.
''So far as
limiting the three-year reviews, I have given (Ms Moir) an explanation on why,
in the public interest, changing to no reviews in some cases was not practical
or desirable,''
The then Attorney General said it ''was
not practical or desirable'' —
Point of Order
Mr S.K. L'ESTRANGE :
Under standing order 78, an answer must be relevant to the question. The shadow
specifically related his question to an extension aspect of this, and it is not
being dealt with. He is actually answering on something from the former
Attorney General.
The SPEAKER : No, he is
answering on the bill, and I am sure he will get to the part that the member
asked about before he sits down.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Mr J.R. QUIGLEY : Might I say,
at the time that Mr Mischin—Muddling Michael—was making these
comments, he was making them on behalf of the Liberal–National
coalition, and I can well understand why the member for Churchlands —
Withdrawal of Remark
Mr S.K. L'ESTRANGE :
The Attorney General has referred to a member of the other place in an
unparliamentary manner, and he has also not referred to him by his correct
title.
Mr J.R.
QUIGLEY : I withdraw the words ''Muddling Michael''
unequivocally.
Questions without
Notice Resumed
Mr J.R. QUIGLEY : But he was
speaking on behalf of the Liberal Party and we were responding to a campaign
initiated by a victim, Ms Kate Moir, who presented a petition of 41 000
signatures. In relation to what the member asked, I have a question for the
Liberal Party: is it going to get behind these laws and support them through
this Parliament on behalf of all victims? That is the question that has to be
asked in the Assembly today. Will the Liberal Party instruct Hon Michael Mischin
in the Legislative Council to get behind these laws and support the victims by
seeing its passage through this year? Might I remind members opposite that
there are a couple of multiple murderers who are coming up for parole
consideration next year, and it is important that these laws are passed before
Christmas. The Liberal Party has to state what its position is. What I heard
today, and what this question says to me, is that in 2016 the Liberal Party
opposed any change to the parole laws; now, in 2018, it is saying they do not
go far enough. Our position is simple, member: are you going to support these
laws when they come before the Assembly or not?
In 2016, the Premier in his then
capacity as Leader of the Opposition was approached by Kate Moir, the survivor
of Catherine and David Birnie, with a request: what would we do in relation to
the parole situation for multiple murderers? Kate Moir had been to see the then
Attorney General, Michael Mischin, about the three-year review laws for
multiple murderers. I quote from an article that appeared in PerthNow on 16
February 2017 —
Attorney–General
Michael Mischin said last week he had told Ms Moir he would not change the
parole laws.
''So far as
limiting the three-year reviews, I have given (Ms Moir) an explanation on why,
in the public interest, changing to no reviews in some cases was not practical
or desirable,''
The then Attorney General said it ''was
not practical or desirable'' —
Point of Order
Mr S.K. L'ESTRANGE :
Under standing order 78, an answer must be relevant to the question. The shadow
specifically related his question to an extension aspect of this, and it is not
being dealt with. He is actually answering on something from the former
Attorney General.
The SPEAKER : No, he is
answering on the bill, and I am sure he will get to the part that the member
asked about before he sits down.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Mr J.R. QUIGLEY : Might I say,
at the time that Mr Mischin—Muddling Michael—was making these
comments, he was making them on behalf of the Liberal–National
coalition, and I can well understand why the member for Churchlands —
Withdrawal of Remark
Mr S.K. L'ESTRANGE :
The Attorney General has referred to a member of the other place in an
unparliamentary manner, and he has also not referred to him by his correct
title.
Mr J.R.
QUIGLEY : I withdraw the words ''Muddling Michael''
unequivocally.
Questions without
Notice Resumed
Mr J.R. QUIGLEY : But he was
speaking on behalf of the Liberal Party and we were responding to a campaign
initiated by a victim, Ms Kate Moir, who presented a petition of 41 000
signatures. In relation to what the member asked, I have a question for the
Liberal Party: is it going to get behind these laws and support them through
this Parliament on behalf of all victims? That is the question that has to be
asked in the Assembly today. Will the Liberal Party instruct Hon Michael Mischin
in the Legislative Council to get behind these laws and support the victims by
seeing its passage through this year? Might I remind members opposite that
there are a couple of multiple murderers who are coming up for parole
consideration next year, and it is important that these laws are passed before
Christmas. The Liberal Party has to state what its position is. What I heard
today, and what this question says to me, is that in 2016 the Liberal Party
opposed any change to the parole laws; now, in 2018, it is saying they do not
go far enough. Our position is simple, member: are you going to support these
laws when they come before the Assembly or not?
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