Back to state politics now, and question time is underway at Parliament House, where several members of the Liberal and National parties have asked the Labor government to explain why a repeat domestic violence offender was not required to be monitored electronically despite it becoming mandatory last year.
Liberal MP Libby Mettam reminded WA Premier Roger Cook of a media statement he released in September last year, enshrining mandatory electrical monitoring for repeat DV offenders into law.
WA Premier Roger Cook during question time today.
The barrage of questions comes after 9 News Perth and WAtoday published an article yesterday revealing a man with previous domestic violence convictions who was facing further charges was recently released on bail without any electronic monitoring.
The court was told Michael Robert Reynold Radomiljac’s mother and son once had violence restraining orders against him, and he is now accused of leaving WA woman Kelly North “half-dead” from an alleged attack during their months-long relationship.
In granting him bail, District Court Judge Seamus Rafferty said Radomiljac’s reoffending had “slowed down in the last six years.”
Loading
“Electronic tracking is not mandatory because he doesn’t fall within the relevant provisions of the bail act,” Rafferty told the court.
Cook said his government had done more to prevent the scourge of domestic violence than any other.
“In relation to electronic monitoring under the family and domestic violence laws, hundreds of offenders have been subject to electronic monitoring under our changes to the act,” he said.
“I can’t speak to the Magistrate in this particular case, so the member will have to direct his questions to the Magistrate himself.
“Electronic monitoring is available across the state.”
Read the full article here
