Attorney General John Quigley has brought about some of the most significant reforms to justice legislation in Western Australia since the March State election.
These include legislation to expunge convictions for historical LGBTIQ offences and giving the Corruption and Crime Commission powers to pursue organised crime targets over unexplained wealth.
Western Australia’s dangerous sex offender laws, which passed through the Legislative Council last week, are among the toughest in the country and legislation removing limitation periods for all child sexual abuse actions goes further than any other Australian jurisdiction.
Also introduced into State Parliament this year:
- ‘No body, no parole’ legislation to ensure convicted murderers who refuse to reveal the whereabouts of their victims’ bodies are not released from prison;
- Changes to the jurisdictional boundaries between the Supreme Court, District Court and Magistrates Court to improve the delivery and efficiency of criminal justice in WA;
- Amendments to the Coroner’s Act to reduce delays in the Coroner’s Court and remove the unnecessary impost on the resources of the Office of the State Coroner and WA Police; and
- Legislation allowing WA to participate in the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme effectively giving survivors of family and domestic violence enforceable legal protection right across Australia.