WA government misled public over flagship domestic violence policy, Basil Zempilas claimsBy WA state political reporter Keane Bourke and Jon DalyTopic:State and Territory Government55m ago55 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 7:29amBasil Zempilas (left) and Paul Papalia argued the point in parliament on Thursday.abc.net.au/news/wa-labor-misleads-on-gps-dv-policy-basil-zempilas-claims/105240092Link copiedShareShare articleWA’s opposition has suggested the government misled the public on issues with the tracking of some serious domestic violence offenders, with evidence mounting police were clearly warned of the difficulties in using GPS to track people outside of Perth.But Labor has insisted progress has been made since those warnings, and people are "safer" because of the GPS technology.Under Labor's flagship family and domestic violence laws which took effect late last year, GPS tracking became a mandatory bail condition for some serious, repeat family and domestic violence offenders.But last month it emerged tracking was not possible in all parts of the state.The situation was laid bare in parliament on Thursday following the circulation of a letter from Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce to Police Commissioner Col Blanch.In that letter dated April 11, which has been obtained by the ABC, Commissioner Royce said the Justice Department "will not recommend or support the use of electronic monitoring … in any location other than the Perth metropolitan area".That spurred Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas to accuse Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia of misleading the public.Brad Royce (left), seen here with Paul Papalia, wrote to the police commissioner about his concerns with the GPS trackers earlier this year. (ABC News: Andrew O'Connor)He asked why the minister had "told the house and public repeatedly there's no place in Western Australia where electronic monitoring cannot be done when your Commissioner has clearly communicated the opposite?"There have been at least three cases where magistrates have released offenders on bail without GPS tracking, despite the government's efforts to make it mandatory as it was "not feasible" to monitor them in regional WA.'Unacceptable risk'Another document obtained by the ABC dated April 9, informed police GPS tracking was constrained in outer suburbs of Perth, as well as in all regional areas."Most catchments within the Perth metropolitan area have a sufficient response time, but we will not be recommending any suburbs on the outskirts of Perth that we cannot respond to in a timely manner," Adult Community Corrections assistant commissioner Michael Thompson said.He said the increase in offenders subject to electronic monitoring due to the new laws had "compounded" existing equipment issues.Delays in the investigation and response to those issues had created an "unacceptable risk" for victim survivors in remote and regional communities, Mr Thompson said."We can no longer support or recommend the use of electronic monitoring under the Family Violence Legislation Reform Act (FVLR) in any location other than the Perth metropolitan area," Mr Thompson wrote."As we aren't a 24/7 service, responding to regional and remote locations is especially problematic outside working hours."Labor flag updated adviceBut on Thursday afternoon, Mr Papalia said there had been "subsequent advice from the Commissioner that changes that advice".He said monitoring was available state-wide because "there are Adult Community Corrections personnel sitting in the State Operations Command Centre adjacent to police, they monitor across the state".Police Minister Reece Whitby did not directly answer questions about whether he was aware of the letter or had been briefed on its contents."Western Australians are safer because of these laws and because of this technology," he said."Across Western Australia all breaches are responded to by police 24 hours a day, seven days a week."Mr Whitby accused the opposition of "undermining and scaring the members of the community about what is an effective way of monitoring these people".The ABC has contacted Mr Papalia's office for a detailed understanding of what the updated advice said.LoadingPosted 55m ago55 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 7:29am, updated 1m ago1 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 8:24amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Family and domestic violence support:1800 Respect national helpline: 1800 737 732Women's Crisis Line: 1800 811 811Men's Referral Service: 1300 766 491Lifeline (24 hour crisis line): 131 114Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277NSW Domestic Violence Line:1800 656 463Qld DV Connect Womensline:1800 811 811Vic Safe Steps crisis response line:1800 015 188ACT 24/7 Crisis Line:(02) 6280 0900Tas Family Violence Counselling and Support Service:1800 608 122SA Domestic Violence Crisis Line:1800 800 098WA Women's Domestic Violence 24h Helpline:1800 007 339NT Domestic violence helpline:1800 737 732Top StoriesCoalition costings reveal worse budget for first two years under Dutton compared to LaborTopic:Federal GovernmentPhoto shows Peter Dutton and Angus Taylor press conferenceCoalition's public service cuts 'focused on Canberra', shadow finance minister says LIVEPhoto shows Jane Hume stands at lecternCoalition's curriculum confusion, Albanese 'nervous' as polling day nearsBAnalysis by Brett WorthingtonPhoto shows a bald male politician wearing glasses speaks in front of a man standing behind himSimon Patterson tells court of 'strained' relationship with alleged mushroom killerTopic:Law, Crime and JusticePhoto shows A close up photo of Erin Patterson looking over her shoulder wearing glases.Harris says Trump administration is using fear as a tool to 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