❓ Mr. Papalia questions the Premier about a report on the Dangerous Sexual Offenders Act and the use of tracking devices, highlighting concerns about early release of offenders. The Premier acknowledges the issue and upcoming legislative amendments.
AnsweredQoN 37Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DANGEROUS
SEX OFFENDERS — TRACKING DEVICES
37. Mr P.
PAPALIA to the Premier:
I refer to the amendments to the dangerous sex offender
legislation made by the Premier's government that has, according to the
Director of Public Prosecutions, ''resulted in a greater number of
offenders being released''.
(1) Why has
the report into all aspects of the Dangerous Sexual Offenders Act received by
the Attorney General in June last year not been released?
(2) Did that report recommend changes to legislation to make
the community safer?
(3) If yes to (2), why did the minister not introduce that
legislation last year as promised?
SEX OFFENDERS — TRACKING DEVICES
37. Mr P.
PAPALIA to the Premier:
I refer to the amendments to the dangerous sex offender
legislation made by the Premier's government that has, according to the
Director of Public Prosecutions, ''resulted in a greater number of
offenders being released''.
(1) Why has
the report into all aspects of the Dangerous Sexual Offenders Act received by
the Attorney General in June last year not been released?
(2) Did that report recommend changes to legislation to make
the community safer?
(3) If yes to (2), why did the minister not introduce that
legislation last year as promised?
AnswerView source ↗
I think that question should be either addressed to the
Attorney General or to the Minister for Corrective Services.
Ms M.M. Quirk : You're
the Premier.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Yes, but I am going to canvass it.
(1)–(3)
That report has not yet been released. I must admit that I have not read it.
Discussion is taking place and amendments will be introduced into Parliament by
the Attorney General. There has been a debate in the community over the last
few days. That is fine. The use of tracking devices is important. The Minister
for Corrective Services has made it very clear that in his view prisoners
should not be released earlier than would otherwise be the case on the grounds
that they might be fitted with a GPS tracking device.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The member may want to ask a question of the Minister for
Corrective Services as he is certainly closer to the issue in terms of detail,
or the Attorney General. Most sex offenders will be released at some stage. The
government's view is that the availability of a GPS tracking system
should not be the grounds for early release. But when someone is released, it
is far better that they have a GPS tracker on them than not.
Attorney General or to the Minister for Corrective Services.
Ms M.M. Quirk : You're
the Premier.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Yes, but I am going to canvass it.
(1)–(3)
That report has not yet been released. I must admit that I have not read it.
Discussion is taking place and amendments will be introduced into Parliament by
the Attorney General. There has been a debate in the community over the last
few days. That is fine. The use of tracking devices is important. The Minister
for Corrective Services has made it very clear that in his view prisoners
should not be released earlier than would otherwise be the case on the grounds
that they might be fitted with a GPS tracking device.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The member may want to ask a question of the Minister for
Corrective Services as he is certainly closer to the issue in terms of detail,
or the Attorney General. Most sex offenders will be released at some stage. The
government's view is that the availability of a GPS tracking system
should not be the grounds for early release. But when someone is released, it
is far better that they have a GPS tracker on them than not.
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