❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks details on charges laid against Roe 8 protesters, including outcomes, reasons for withdrawals, and government involvement. The response provides some aggregate data but cites privacy for individual details and denies government interference.
AnsweredQoN 479Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the police action to control the behaviour of protesters against the Roe 8 project, and ask:
(a) how many people were charged;
(b) for each person charged, what were the offences alleged against him or her;
(c) for each person charged, what has been the outcome of those charges, and which are still pending disposal;
(d) what charges have been withdrawn and for what reason;
(e) as to each charge that has been withdrawn, was the decision to withdraw based on legal advice as to the strength of the case or for some other reason and, if so, what;
(f) in respect of charges that have been withdrawn, who made the decision to withdraw the charge; and
(g) has there been any directive, instruction or advice from the Government or the Minister or her office as to how these charges should be dealt with and, if so, what was it?
(a) how many people were charged;
(b) for each person charged, what were the offences alleged against him or her;
(c) for each person charged, what has been the outcome of those charges, and which are still pending disposal;
(d) what charges have been withdrawn and for what reason;
(e) as to each charge that has been withdrawn, was the decision to withdraw based on legal advice as to the strength of the case or for some other reason and, if so, what;
(f) in respect of charges that have been withdrawn, who made the decision to withdraw the charge; and
(g) has there been any directive, instruction or advice from the Government or the Minister or her office as to how these charges should be dealt with and, if so, what was it?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
5 December 2017
Responded by
Minister for Environment representing the Minister for Police
Response time
8 days
(b) Individual details cannot be provided due to privacy issues. (c) Two hundred and forty-three have had their matters before the courts finalised. One case is still pending. (d) Of the withdrawn charges relating to the behaviour of protesters, six relate to trespass, fifteen to obstructing a public officer, one of disorderly conduct, one of common assault and four relate to road traffic offences. (e) Charges withdrawn were considered on a case by case basis by Fremantle Prosecuting and either withdrawn due to strength of the evidence, not being in the public interest, or the accused pleading guilty to associated charges . (f) Decision to withdraw charges was made by Fremantle Prosecutors in consultation with a combination of State Solicitors, defence counsel, the accused, charging officer and the sitting Magistrate. (g) No.
(c) Two hundred and forty-three have had their matters before the courts finalised. One case is still pending. (d) Of the withdrawn charges relating to the behaviour of protesters, six relate to trespass, fifteen to obstructing a public officer, one of disorderly conduct, one of common assault and four relate to road traffic offences. (e) Charges withdrawn were considered on a case by case basis by Fremantle Prosecuting and either withdrawn due to strength of the evidence, not being in the public interest, or the accused pleading guilty to associated charges . (f) Decision to withdraw charges was made by Fremantle Prosecutors in consultation with a combination of State Solicitors, defence counsel, the accused, charging officer and the sitting Magistrate. (g) No.
(d) Of the withdrawn charges relating to the behaviour of protesters, six relate to trespass, fifteen to obstructing a public officer, one of disorderly conduct, one of common assault and four relate to road traffic offences. (e) Charges withdrawn were considered on a case by case basis by Fremantle Prosecuting and either withdrawn due to strength of the evidence, not being in the public interest, or the accused pleading guilty to associated charges . (f) Decision to withdraw charges was made by Fremantle Prosecutors in consultation with a combination of State Solicitors, defence counsel, the accused, charging officer and the sitting Magistrate. (g) No.
(e) Charges withdrawn were considered on a case by case basis by Fremantle Prosecuting and either withdrawn due to strength of the evidence, not being in the public interest, or the accused pleading guilty to associated charges . (f) Decision to withdraw charges was made by Fremantle Prosecutors in consultation with a combination of State Solicitors, defence counsel, the accused, charging officer and the sitting Magistrate. (g) No.
(f) Decision to withdraw charges was made by Fremantle Prosecutors in consultation with a combination of State Solicitors, defence counsel, the accused, charging officer and the sitting Magistrate. (g) No.
(g) No.
(c) Two hundred and forty-three have had their matters before the courts finalised. One case is still pending. (d) Of the withdrawn charges relating to the behaviour of protesters, six relate to trespass, fifteen to obstructing a public officer, one of disorderly conduct, one of common assault and four relate to road traffic offences. (e) Charges withdrawn were considered on a case by case basis by Fremantle Prosecuting and either withdrawn due to strength of the evidence, not being in the public interest, or the accused pleading guilty to associated charges . (f) Decision to withdraw charges was made by Fremantle Prosecutors in consultation with a combination of State Solicitors, defence counsel, the accused, charging officer and the sitting Magistrate. (g) No.
(d) Of the withdrawn charges relating to the behaviour of protesters, six relate to trespass, fifteen to obstructing a public officer, one of disorderly conduct, one of common assault and four relate to road traffic offences. (e) Charges withdrawn were considered on a case by case basis by Fremantle Prosecuting and either withdrawn due to strength of the evidence, not being in the public interest, or the accused pleading guilty to associated charges . (f) Decision to withdraw charges was made by Fremantle Prosecutors in consultation with a combination of State Solicitors, defence counsel, the accused, charging officer and the sitting Magistrate. (g) No.
(e) Charges withdrawn were considered on a case by case basis by Fremantle Prosecuting and either withdrawn due to strength of the evidence, not being in the public interest, or the accused pleading guilty to associated charges . (f) Decision to withdraw charges was made by Fremantle Prosecutors in consultation with a combination of State Solicitors, defence counsel, the accused, charging officer and the sitting Magistrate. (g) No.
(f) Decision to withdraw charges was made by Fremantle Prosecutors in consultation with a combination of State Solicitors, defence counsel, the accused, charging officer and the sitting Magistrate. (g) No.
(g) No.
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