After a nine month wait, the Cook Labor Government needs to take accountability for the delay on necessary legislation for the expansion of GPS tracking used for serious offenders and on the prevention on the use of coercive control tactics by family and domestic violence offenders.
Given the almost 60% increase in family assaults since 2017, WA Labor’s new legislation – while welcome – signalled a slow-to-action response on one of the most time-sensitive issues in our state, said Libby Mettam, WA Liberal Leader and Shadow Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence.
“Policy to prevent family and domestic violence is, quite literally, life or death,” she said.
“After waiting months for proper implementation of GPS tracking and coercive control legislation, we are finally seeing government action on the scourge of family and domestic violence growing across our state.
“The appalling increases in FDV crime need to be stopped – this is why we announced our GPS tracking policy in September.
“It is staggering this week’s legislation took questions from the Opposition, and our policy announcement, for the Labor Government to act on implementing policies from their buried GPS tracking trial.
“Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, and we are heartened that the Cook Labor Government has followed our example and finally legislated these changes to GPS tracking.”
Ms Mettam said, despite bipartisan support for these measures, the delay on implementing the legislation speak to the priority of family and domestic violence under WA Labor.
“Since this legislation was announced in October, Western Australia has seen twelve deaths at the hands of someone related to or known to the victim, and nearly 9,000 instances of breaching a family violence restraining order,” she said.
“While we may never know if these deaths or breaches could have been prevented by this legislation, this delay is a reminder of the importance of taking immediate action on these issues.
“WA is the most dangerous state to be a woman – Roger Cook should be ashamed this has escalated on his watch.
“Much like the priorities of the Cook Government, this bill has been a long time coming from announcement to action.”
With WA now the violent crime capital of Australia, and other issues around recruiting shortfalls, growing drug use across the state, and increased knife crime, further resources are still needed.
“The Police Minister continues to let staffing and resourcing fall, and crime grow – these measures require long-term funding and support, which they have yet to receive,” she said.
“We must ensure that perpetrators feel the weight of these changes, and that WA Police has the resources to implement them.”
