GPS trackers will soon be mandatory for repeat domestic violence offenders in Western Australia and criminals who cut them off will be jailed instantly.
The crackdown has been welcomed in the state but there are calls for the laws to be fast-tracked.
About 600 more GPS trackers will be fitted to family violence perpetrators but the new laws won’t pass until mid-next year at the earliest.
Alison Scott’s sister Jessica was murdered by her husband in Nollamara four years ago.
“I definitely welcome it, it’s one of many things that needs to happen in this space,” Scott said.
“We need to get on with getting this underway rather than dragging our feet”.
The new laws will compel courts and the prisoner review board to make GPS tracking mandatory if someone offends while already under a family and domestic violence order and for criminals released on community supervision orders.
Anyone who removes a bracelet faces a mandatory jail sentence of up to three years.
The bracelets are monitored at the state operations command centre and if one is removed officers are alerted and the rapid apprehension squad is immediately deployed.
“Today is a significant day for victims, it is a significant day for survivors,” premier Roger Cook said.
“It’s nation-leading, this will put us right at the forefront and there’s more to come,” attorney-general John Quigley said.
“Today’s announcement by the government is welcome but it’s belated,” opposition justice spokesperson Tjorn Sibma said.
(9 News)
