Electronic monitoring
75. Mr Basil Zempilas to the Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer to the decision by the Commissioner of Corrective Services communicated to the Commissioner of Police on 11 April 2025 that corrections will not recommend or support the use of electronic monitoring in any location other than the Perth metropolitan area.
(1) Why has the minister repeatedly told the house and the public that there is no place in Western Australia where electronic monitoring cannot be done, when his commissioner has clearly communicated the opposite to the Western Australia Police Force, members of the judiciary, the Prisoners Review Board and the Commissioner for Victims of Crime?
(2) Is the minister aware of a letter on this matter from the Commissioner of Corrective Services to the Commissioner of Police?
Mr Paul Papalia replied:
(1)–(2) I thank the member for the question. I think the member will find there has been subsequent advice from the commissioner that changes that advice. With respect to coverage, I say that because monitoring is conducted from the State Operations Command Centre. It is statewide. There are adult community corrections personnel sitting in the State Operations Command Centre adjacent to police. They monitor across the state.
76. Mr Basil Zempilas to the Minister for Corrective Services:
I have a supplementary question. Minister, here is an opportunity for you now.
Several members interjected.
The Speaker: Supplementaries are meant to be short and to the point, without any preamble.
Mr Basil Zempilas: Okay—short as I can then.
Are there any towns or suburbs where offenders cannot be subject to monitoring by corrections?
Mr Paul Papalia replied:
Monitoring is statewide, member.
Several members interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Several members interjected.
The Speaker: Premier! Leader of the Opposition!
Several members interjected.
The Speaker: Premier!
Several members interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition! Deputy Leader of the Opposition! When everyone has finished, the minister can respond.
Mr Paul Papalia: Monitoring is done from the State Operations Command Centre, and the monitoring covers the entire state. That is the answer to the question.
