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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 566 asked in the Legislative Assembly on 18 August 2020 by Mr S.K. L’Estrange

Parliament: 40 Session: 1

FAMILY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDERS

566. Mr S.K. L'ESTRANGE to the Premier:

I have a supplementary question. It is good to hear the Premier acknowledge that a whole-of-government approach is needed, because this area covers the Western Australia Police Force, the Department of Communities, the Attorney General and the Premier. What immediate action will the Premier take to enable the courts to protect Western Australians, including children, who are currently at extreme risk of family violence?

Mr M. McGOWAN replied:

The Family Violence Legislation Reform (COVID-19 Response) Act 2020 has implemented increases in the penalties for breaching a family violence restraining order, a violence restraining order or a police order. The fine has increased to $10 000. The limitation period for the prosecution of a breach of a family violence restraining order has been raised from one year to two years so that offenders can be held to account for breaches of orders. There is now an aggravated offence in circumstances of family violence, so that repeated breaches of an order can result in a more significant penalty. That is what the legislation that became an act of Parliament in April of this year did. It has implemented the changes I think the member was asking for.

Tabling of Paper

Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP: On a point of order, the Premier appeared to be reading from an official document. I ask him to table it.

Mr M. McGOWAN: Away you go; go for your lives.

[See paper 3578.]