COURT INTERVENTION PROGRAMS

1163. Hon ALISON XAMON to the Leader of the House representing the Attorney General:

I refer to the June 2009 Law Reform Commission report, “Court Intervention Programs”.

(1)  Does the McGowan government intend to establish a court intervention program for people with gambling-related offending?

(2)  If no to (1), why not?

(3)  Does the McGowan government intend to expand any of the existing court intervention programs?

(4)  If yes to (3), which programs will be expanded, and where will they be expanded?

(5)  If no to (3), why not?

Hon SUE ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.

(1)–(5) Western Australia’s mental health court diversion and support program offers a solution-focused response for individuals experiencing a mental health issue, which in a small proportion of cases has been linked to gambling. The program comprises an adult program, the Start Court and a children’s program, Links. It has received a further two years’ funding from July 2019 to June 2021. During this time, an evaluation will take place. In the 2019–20 budget, $6.6 million was also allocated over a four-year period to pilot and evaluate a general court intervention program, modelled on Victoria’s court integrated services program, consistent with the June 2009 Law Reform Commission report’s recommendations.

 

Parliamentary Type: