Restraining Orders Act 1997 - review
2653. Hon Alison Xamon to the Parliamentary Secretary representing the Attorney General
I refer to the review of the Restraining Orders Act 1997, and ask —
(1) Please provide detail on the current status of the review?
(2) Who has been consulted during the review?
(3) Will any further consultations be conducted before amendments to the Act are finalised?
(4) If yes to (3), who will be consulted?
(5) Please detail any amendments proposed in the review which the Government supports?
(6) Is the Government initiating other changes to the Act which were not recommended in the review?
(7) If yes to (6), please outline these proposals?
(8) Will the amendments include clauses to support the state-roll out of the Safe at Home program, providing women and children the option of remaining in their own homes with the perpetrator being removed and prohibited from returning to the residence?
(9) If yes to (8), please provide details?
(10) Is there a timeframe for passage of the amendments?
(11) If the Government has not yet finalised its intentions regarding amendments to the Act, when will these details be finalised and made public?
Hon MICHAEL MISCHIN replied:
1. The Government will be considering amendments to the Restraining Orders Act 1997 as a result of the review process in the near future.
2. Some 189 individuals and organisations were consulted as part of the review. More recently further consultation has taken place with the Chief Magistrate, the WA Police and the Legal Aid Commission.
3. No
4. Not applicable
5. The government has yet to determine which legislative amendments contained in the review will be supported. This has not been determined yet.
6. This has not been determined.
7. Not applicable
8. This has not been determined.
9. Not applicable
10. Not at this stage
11. Not applicable