❓ Mrs Roberts questions the Minister for Police about specific changes to the Bail Act that the Commissioner of Police advocated for in February, beyond those already before the house. The Minister acknowledges discussions but avoids specifics, promising future legislation.
AnsweredQoN 582Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BAIL ACT — COMMISSIONER OF POLICE'S
COMMENTS
582. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS to the Minister for
Police:
Back in February, in an article in The West Australian , the Commissioner of
Police called for changes to the Bail Act 1982 to help reduce crime rates.
(1) Has the
minister discussed the changes to the Bail Act the commissioner would like to
see put in place to drive crime down?
(2) If so, what
changes was he calling for?
COMMENTS
582. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS to the Minister for
Police:
Back in February, in an article in The West Australian , the Commissioner of
Police called for changes to the Bail Act 1982 to help reduce crime rates.
(1) Has the
minister discussed the changes to the Bail Act the commissioner would like to
see put in place to drive crime down?
(2) If so, what
changes was he calling for?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) A
review of the Bail Act was conducted some time ago. Legislation should be
shortly read into the Legislative Council with changes to the Bail Act. We have
recently announced that we will be looking to implement changes to the Bail Act
specifically with respect to offenders against children. We think we need to
revisit the bail conditions for people who offend sexually against children,
and we were talking about that last week.
Point of Order
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : I am well
aware of the proposals that are before the house with respect to the Bail Act.
I am specifically asking the minister about those changes, not included in Hon Michael Mischin's bills,
that the commissioner was asking for in February, and that the minister said
were not a priority for the government. What are those changes, and how did he
think they were going to drive down crime?
Questions without Notice Resumed
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : As I was saying, we are implementing some changes to the Bail
Act, and the Attorney General is progressing those changes to do with those
offenders who offend sexually against children. I am not sure which specific
comments the member is referring to, but some of the discussions I have had
with the commissioner and police officers about the Bail Act and bail
conditions indicate that they would like to see more serious consequences for
offenders who are bailed into the community and breach bail—in areas
such as curfews. With respect to the specifics the member is talking about,
there has been some discussions with my cabinet colleagues —
Mrs
M.H. Roberts : You do not know what changes the commissioner wants to the
Bail Act.
The
SPEAKER : Member!
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : The commissioner has flagged with me a range of changes to the
Bail Act, and there has been further consultation with Western Australia
Police. When I am ready to announce those changes to the Bail Act, I will bring
the legislation to Parliament. The opposition will be fully informed, and we
will offer a full briefing to members opposite, and I hope they avail
themselves of the opportunity to understand what we believe is necessary.
review of the Bail Act was conducted some time ago. Legislation should be
shortly read into the Legislative Council with changes to the Bail Act. We have
recently announced that we will be looking to implement changes to the Bail Act
specifically with respect to offenders against children. We think we need to
revisit the bail conditions for people who offend sexually against children,
and we were talking about that last week.
Point of Order
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : I am well
aware of the proposals that are before the house with respect to the Bail Act.
I am specifically asking the minister about those changes, not included in Hon Michael Mischin's bills,
that the commissioner was asking for in February, and that the minister said
were not a priority for the government. What are those changes, and how did he
think they were going to drive down crime?
Questions without Notice Resumed
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : As I was saying, we are implementing some changes to the Bail
Act, and the Attorney General is progressing those changes to do with those
offenders who offend sexually against children. I am not sure which specific
comments the member is referring to, but some of the discussions I have had
with the commissioner and police officers about the Bail Act and bail
conditions indicate that they would like to see more serious consequences for
offenders who are bailed into the community and breach bail—in areas
such as curfews. With respect to the specifics the member is talking about,
there has been some discussions with my cabinet colleagues —
Mrs
M.H. Roberts : You do not know what changes the commissioner wants to the
Bail Act.
The
SPEAKER : Member!
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : The commissioner has flagged with me a range of changes to the
Bail Act, and there has been further consultation with Western Australia
Police. When I am ready to announce those changes to the Bail Act, I will bring
the legislation to Parliament. The opposition will be fully informed, and we
will offer a full briefing to members opposite, and I hope they avail
themselves of the opportunity to understand what we believe is necessary.
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