analysisHow WA's flagship domestic and family violence promise went so badly wrongBy WA state political reporter Keane BourkeTopic:State and Territory Government1h ago1 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 1:23amThe current use of GPS trackers falls far short of the promise made to DV victim-survivors nearly a year ago. (AAP Image: Keana Naughton)abc.net.au/news/how-wa-domestic-and-family-violence-promise-went-wrong-analysis/105241438Link copiedShareShare articleIt was a flagship government policy meant to provide extra safety for some of the state's most vulnerable.But yesterday we got an insight into just how the implementation of WA's domestic violence strategy targeting repeat offenders went so badly wrong.The plan was that serious, repeat family and domestic violence offenders — like those who offended while on a restraining order — would be subject to GPS monitoring if they were released on bail.The policy was meant to provide extra safety for those at risk of family and domestic violence. (ABC News: Courtney Withers)It was meant to act as a mandatory extra level of safety.The GPS monitoring requirement would only be lifted in "exceptional circumstances", which former attorney-general John Quigley told parliament last year was a "very high threshold".Family and domestic violence support services:The Survivor Hub Full Stop Australia: 1800 385 5781800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732DV Connect Women's Line: 1800 811 81113 YARN 13 92 76MensLine: 1300 789 978Lifeline (24-hour Crisis Line): 13 11 14But a letter made public yesterday revealed that, at least for a period, that "very high threshold" was simply just living outside of Perth.Cracks emergeAs far as we know, the first sign of trouble came three months after the laws took effect.On March 21, the Assistant Commissioner for Adult Community Corrections warned WA Police the Justice Department "can no longer support or recommend the use of electronic monitoring" under the new law "in any location other than the Perth metropolitan area".By this point, at the very latest, the government knew there were serious issues with the policy and that it could not be carried out in the way in which it had promised.Two-and-a-half weeks later, he wrote again to say the decision "was predominantly made due to unacceptable risk to community safety in areas where we cannot guarantee a timely response to equipment issues" — which included outer suburban Perth.Letters from Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce (left) have offered insights into problems with the policy. (ABC News: Andrew O'Connor)Two days later, Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce confirmed the position in a letter to Police Commissioner Col Blanch, adding that there had been a "significant increase" in the number of people being electronically monitored because of the new laws.The Justice Department simply didn't have the resources to assess each case individually and decide whether a GPS tracker would work given WA's patchy mobile phone network.The government had been warned about this issue before it introduced its new laws because it had run a two-year trial.The final report of that trial noted assessment reports could take up to three weeks, and that “this may require additional resourcing”.DV promise comes crashing down under weight of realityPhoto shows Roger Cook looks down during a press conference.The WA government's language has shifted dramatically in recent weeks over its pledge to mandate GPS tracking for serious, repeat family and domestic violence offenders, writes Keane Bourke.The government initially allocated $28 million over four years for 35 staff, but in an indication that number was inadequate, a further 12 staff were added. They're not due to start work until after June 30.Premier's omissionsSubsequent media questions elicited carefully worded responses from the government.Premier Roger Cook told ABC Radio Perth "I haven't been advised that it's a lack of resources" behind the issues, instead blaming "black spots" that meant the technology could not be used in some areas.But he didn't mention that the reason those black spots were such a concern was that the only way to know if they would impact a particular person was to have a Justice staffer assess that individual case.What Premier Roger Cook did not mention appears as significant as what he did. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)As Royce's letter pointed out, that was not possible — hence the ban.Cook also didn't mention the department's inability to respond to issues like "equipment failures, charging issues and signal loss", suggesting the problems were simply a result of "getting used to the systems".It's an assertion that struggles under the weight of these revelations."This is bigger than teething problems, this appears to be some kind of cover-up of the information that's been shared between Commissioners and now not properly shared between the community," Shadow Corrective Services Minister Adam Hort said.The new letterThis week, Commissioner Royce wrote another, very carefully worded, letter.It's nowhere near as direct as the earlier communication.Government accused of misleading public on DV trackingPhoto shows Zempilas and PapaliaWA Opposition leader Basil Zempilas says the WA government has misled the public over the use of GPS trackers for serious repeat domestic violence offenders.It asks that "additional conditions" be considered by magistrates including curfews and home detention to "aid the effectiveness" of tracking, and observes the court could "request a report from community corrections officers as to the suitability of electronic monitoring in relation to specific accused"."The department is ready and willing to assist with these requests," he notes.The implication seems to be — we can't assess every case, but if you think there'll be an issue, refer it to us and we'll work it out.Falling short on a DV promiseIt seems GPS trackers are no longer subject to a blanket ban outside Perth, but the result still falls far short of the promise the government made to victim-survivors nearly a year ago.A mandatory extra level of safety meant to only be lifted in "exceptional circumstances" seems to be bypassed far more readily.The ankle monitors used by WA Police. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)There's still no clear information on where the technology works and where it doesn't, and whether issues assessing each case will be fixed by those 12 extra staff.And while ministers have lined up to criticise "fearmongering" by the opposition, genuine problems have now been highlighted which the government would have preferred the public didn't know about."Be open with us, tell us what the gaps are, tell us how you're going to fix the gaps," Hort urged yesterday.It's now up to the government to do just that and restore trust in the policy it created.LoadingPosted 1h ago1 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 1:23amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesWhy don't the major parties want house prices to fall? 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