Media Statements: Statements http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/Date Descending.aspx RSS feed for the Statements list. Department of the Premier and Cabinet Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:34:52 GMT Windows SharePoint Services V3 RSS Generator 60 Media Statements: Statements /_layouts/images/homepage.gif http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/Date Descending.aspx Payment to Estelle Bedford http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132815 Content:

Attorney General Christian Porter today confirmed that Estelle Bedford will be able to take further legal action in relation to the death of her father in the Boorabbin fires.

 

“Nothing that Ms Bedford has signed will prevent her from taking action against the State,” Mr Porter said.

 

“I will be writing to Ms Bedford and another party who entered into a similar agreement to indicate that the State will not seek to rely on the agreement for this purpose.

 

“Ms Bedford will then be entitled to take legal action against the State Government if she so chooses.”

 

The Attorney General also said it appeared the contract was originally the result of Ms Bedford’s lawyers contacting the Insurance Commission of Western Australia (ICWA) in March 2008 claiming for financial damages under the Fatal Accidents Act.

 

“The funds given to Ms Bedford were not an ex-gratia payment,” he said.

 

“It appears that this was a matter handled by ICWA and therefore would not have gone through State Cabinet or required approval by any Minister.

 

“It appears that the negotiations that led to the agreement were largely conducted during the period of the previous Labor government without ministerial input.”

 

Attorney General's office - 9220 5050
Date: 23/11/2009
Minister: Porter
Portfolio: Attorney General
Region: All
]]> Arbouin, Shane Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:41:32 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132815 State Government finalises second native title claim in six months http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132801 Content:

The State Government has finalised its second native title determination in six months, with yesterday’s Federal Court ratification of the Thudgari determination.

 

Attorney General Christian Porter said the State Government should be proud of what it had achieved in the area of native title in such a short period of time.

 

“In the past eight months, the State Government has finalised two native title determinations by consent, and negotiated four outstanding native title agreements that will pour billions of dollars into the Aboriginal economy over the next 20 years,” Mr Porter said.

 

The Thudgari native title determination recognised the Thudgari people hold non-exclusive possession native title over approximately 10,588 square kilometres of land in Western Australia’s Gascoyne and Pilbara regions.

 

The determination covers a small piece of Unallocated Crown Land and 15 pastoral leases, allowing pastoralists and native title holders shared access to pursue their interests over the area.

 

The Attorney General said it was encouraging to see that a number of the traditional owners were also actively involved in the pastoral industry.

 

“Some of the native title holders are pastoralists, which will give them a unique insight into the impact of a native title determination on pastoral interests,” he said.

 

Mr Porter said the Government had an ambitious native title program and nine additional claims were in various stages of negotiation.

 

“I anticipate that 2010 will be a landmark year for native title in WA,” he said.

 

“The Liberal-National Government is committed to resolving native title in a timely and efficient manner and will push ahead to resolve as many of these claims as possible, which will benefit not only Aboriginal people but the entire community.”

 

Attorney General's office - 9220 5050

Date: 19/11/2009
Minister: Porter
Portfolio: Attorney General
Region: Gascoyne;Pilbara
]]> Arbouin, Shane Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:33:44 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132801 Unclaimed bodies - burial process http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132808 Content:

The State Government has clear processes in place for the burial of unclaimed bodies.

 

If after three months a body remains unclaimed (and is not the subject of Coronial proceedings), the WA Police or hospital staff may refer the matter to the Public Trustee.

 

The Public Trustee will then assess whether there are any assets in any estate available to pay for a burial of the unclaimed body.  In a small number of cases this may take some weeks to establish. 

 

If estate funds are available, a burial is organised using these.  If no, or insufficient, funds are located, the Department of Child Protection is contacted and they become responsible for arranging the burial.

 

In the three months from August 1, 2009 to October 31, 2009, 12 unclaimed bodies were reported to the Public Trustee. 

 

Of these, three remain unburied - one in September (awaiting confirmation of assets from an estate) and two in October (one again awaiting confirmation of assets from an estate and one where friends have advised they are raising funds for the funeral).

 

Outside coronial investigations, it is only in a small number of cases that an unclaimed body would remain unburied at about 23 weeks after death.

 

That time period is explained by the fair and orderly process of allowing sufficient time for next- of-kin to be located (12 weeks) and the Public Trustee to confirm whether funds are available from an estate for burial (which again may sometimes take several weeks) and then, if no funds are available, for the Department for Child Protection (DCP) to organise a State-funded burial.

 

DCP and the Public Trustee are currently looking at ways to streamline this process even further.

 

The two bodies that have been unburied for a period greater than one year have both been subject to Coroner’s Office proceedings.  Both bodies are understood to have next-of-kin or an executor of estate and therefore will not be subject to State burials (unless the next-of-kin or executor clearly indicate they will not take responsibility). 

 

The one body that has been waiting for burial for 23 weeks was referred to the Public Trustee in late October. This body is also understood to have a next-of-kin. The Public Trustee has been in contact with the next-of-kin regarding burial arrangements.

 

Minister's office - 9220 5050

Date: 19/11/2009
Minister: Porter
Portfolio: Attorney General
Region: All
]]> Stratford, Pamela Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:16:42 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132808 Skimming and identity crime http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132787 Content:

Criminals who illicitly make, use or supply another person’s identity will face up to seven years imprisonment under new legislation to be introduced today to State Parliament.

 

Attorney General Christian Porter said the new penalties were the result of the growing number of identity crime attacks in Western Australia.

 

“The recent skimming operation at McDonald’s stores in WA saw more than $2.5million stolen from thousands of people’s bank accounts,” Mr Porter said.

 

“As a State Government we must do everything we can to try to prevent such attacks happening again.”

 

The Attorney General said under the new legislation, offenders will face up to seven years jail if they produce, use or supply another person’s identification when there is intent to use that information to commit a crime, or facilitate someone else to commit a crime.

 

However, if the offender intends to produce, use or supply that information to commit a more serious criminal act then their offence would attract a higher penalty. 

 

Mr Porter said the proposed bill would also prescribe a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment for illicitly possessing identification material.

 

A maximum five years jail would also be in place for illicitly possessing equipment capable of making, using, supplying, or retaining identification material, such as skimming devices.

 

“The Opposition has now put forward two Private Members Bills - both of which were flawed and did not reflect the seriousness and complexity of identity crime,” he said.

 

“The State Government’s legislation sends a very clear message that we take these offences seriously and we will put in place the appropriate penalties to protect the community.”

 

Attorney General's office - 9220 5050
Date: 17/11/2009
Minister: Porter
Portfolio: Attorney General
Region: All
]]> Arbouin, Shane Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:42:56 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132787 New President of the Court of Appeal http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132789 Content:

Attorney General Christian Porter has today announced the appointment of Hon. Justice Carmel Joy McLure as the new President of the Court of Appeal.

 

Justice McLure takes over from the Hon. Justice Steytler, who retired from the Court on February 1 to take up appointment as the Parliamentary Inspector of the Corruption and Crime Commission.

 

“As one of the court’s most senior judges Justice McLure is considered to be extremely well qualified to take on the role of president,” Mr Porter said.

 

“She is highly regarded for her quick and brilliant mind, legal acumen, capacity for hard work and sound judgement.”

 

Justice McLure was appointed to the Supreme Court bench in April 2001 and in February 2005 was one of the inaugural judges to be appointed to the Court of Appeal.

 

After obtaining her Bachelor of Jurisprudence with Honours in 1976 she then went on to complete her Bachelor of Laws with Honours in 1979, both from The University of Western Australia.

 

Justice McLure served her articles at Mallesons Stephen Jaques and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Western Australia in December 1980.

 

Her Honour was also engaged on the private staff of the then Attorney General, Senator Peter Durack QC in Canberra as assistant private secretary in 1977-78 and private secretary from 1981-82.

 

Justice McLure also studied at Oxford University and attained her post-graduate degree of Bachelor of Civil Law. This was followed by a year lecturing in law at the North-Western University in Chicago, as the nominee of the law faculty at Oxford.

 

Justice McLure returned to WA in 1984 and took employment as a solicitor at the law firm then known as Keall Brinsden, now Corrs Chambers Westgarth.

 

In 1987, she became partner in that firm and from 1993-1995 she was the head of the firm’s litigation division.

 

In 1995, Justice McLure joined the Independent Bar practising out of Francis Burt Chambers and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in December 1997.

 

“Justice McLure practised extensively in civil and commercial litigation, including in the fields of administrative law, corporations law, trade practices law and professional negligence matters,” the Attorney General said.

 

“She also appeared as counsel in many major cases and in two royal commissions.

 

“During her time in practice, Justice McLure was also a member of the Law Reform Commission of WA, the International Legal Service Advisory Council, the Women Lawyers Association of WA, the Law Society and the Legal Practice Board.

 

“On top of this she has also served the wider community through membership of the Board of the WA Academy of Performing Arts, the Council of Edith Cowan University, the Board of St Catherine’s College at The University of Western Australia and the Rhodes Scholarship selection panel.

 

“I have every confidence in Justice McLure and welcome her to the position of President of the Court of Appeal.”

 

Minister's office - 9220 5050
Date: 17/11/2009
Minister: Porter
Portfolio: Attorney General
Region: All
]]> Arbouin, Shane Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:18:59 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132789 Seven years jail for rock throwers http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132784 Content:

Offenders who throw rocks at cars could face up to seven years jail under tough new legislation today announced by the State Government.

 

Attorney General Christian Porter said the legislation would provide the community with the strongest protection in Australia by making it an offence to cause fear or alarm in a driver by throwing an object at or near a vehicle.

 

The legislation also makes it an offence to cause fear or alarm in a driver by directing a laser pointer at a vehicle. The maximum penalty for these offences will be up to seven years jail and a $36,000 fine.

 

Mr Porter said between January and November this year there had already been 1,170 incidents where objects were thrown at a bus or security vehicle.

 

“This figure is just the tip of the iceberg - it doesn’t include the many hundreds, if not thousands, of attacks each year on community members,” he said.

 

“People should be able to drive our streets without fear of rock attacks and this legislation is about putting the appropriate penalties in place for the very serious nature of these offences.”

 

The Attorney General said the State Government’s legislation was a much stronger approach to the Private Members Bill put forward by Labor last week.

 

“Labor cut and pasted bits of legislation from other jurisdictions,” he said.

 

“The result was a bill that would have no real effect because it deals with a situation already covered by WA’s Criminal Code.

 

“We previously looked at that approach and concluded it was not appropriate.

 

“The State Government’s legislation will create an entirely new offence, which does not require a prosecutor to show that a person’s life was put in danger or that the offender intended to hurt anyone.

 

“We will also increase penalties for the existing offence of endangering a person’s life, health or safety under the Criminal Code in line with our new offence.”

 

Mr Porter called on the Opposition to support the legislation through Parliament before the summer break.

 

Minister's office - 9220 5050
Date: 16/11/2009
Minister: Porter
Portfolio: Attorney General
Region: All
]]> Arbouin, Shane Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:46:46 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132784 Further 640 beds announced for prison system http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132714 Content:

The State Government today announced a further 640 beds to be added to the prison system by mid next year.

 

Corrective Services Minister Christian Porter said the beds would be added as part of additional accommodation units at Casuarina, Albany and Greenough and were above and beyond the 600 beds promised in the May State Budget.

 

“The Government is already well on track to completing the 600 beds promised in the Budget, with 353 (as at October 20) currently in operation,” Mr Porter said.

 

“What this means is that by mid next year, the Liberal-National Government will have added more than 1,200 additional beds to Western Australia’s prison system.”

 

The Minister said the additional accommodation units were an innovative and immediate solution to help ease overcrowding in WA in the short term.

 

“The temporary units will consist of 320 cells, double-bunked and have a lifespan of about 10 years.

 

“Importantly, the construction of the units will not require additional Government funding.”

 

Mr Porter said the Government was able to find a $60million saving in the cost of expanding Acacia prison and those funds could now be used to significantly and efficiently expand the prison system throughout metropolitan and regional WA.

 

A significant portion of the savings would go towards recruiting more prison officers as well as creating the additional beds:

 

·                $48million for the additional accommodation units, including all necessary amenities, power, water, waste and security

·                $11.25million to recruit and train additional prison officers

·                $750,000 to expand capacity at the Corrective Services Training Academy.

 

“It’s an unfortunate fact that the previous Labor Government basically ignored our prisons and the people in them for its entire eight years in government,” the Minister said.

 

“They focused on ways to keep offenders out of jail and on our streets and ignored the need for additional infrastructure.

 

“That strategy clearly failed the community and the corrective services system.

 

“The Liberal-National Government has acted decisively and quickly to build additional beds, accommodation units and entire prisons to address the overcrowding problem.

 

“Our strategy is very simple:  We will not apologise for taking high-risk offenders off our streets and we are committed to investing in our prison system through dramatically increased infrastructure and proper education, employment and rehabilitation programs to help break the cycle of recidivism.”

 

Mr Porter said the accommodation units would complement the Government’s unprecedented $655million allocation in the May State Budget to create 1,657 beds in the prison system by 2014.

 

“This includes the 150-bed West Kimberley Prison; the 80-bed Young Adults Prison; the 350-bed Eastern Goldfields Prison; the 387-bed expansion at Acacia; and two new work camps in the Wheatbelt and Warburton region,” he said.

 

Minister's office - 9220 5050
Date: 1/11/2009
Minister: Porter
Portfolio: Corrective Services
Region: South Eastern Suburbs;Great Southern;Mid West
]]> Stratford, Pamela Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:39:32 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132714 WA reaps rewards at national crime prevention presentation http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132715 Content:

Western Australian projects targeting crime and violence have been lauded at a national awards ceremony in Canberra, Acting Police Minister Christian Porter said today.

 

Mr Porter said two projects earned the highest level of national recognition at the 2009 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards held yesterday while four other projects won certificates of merit.

 

The Weld to Life Program started by the Rockingham PCYC was the major winner, receiving a National Certificate and $15,000 prize money.

 

The Fitzroy Crossing Liquor Restriction Enforcement - Kartiya Future, Brighter Future also received a National Certificate and $10,000 prize money.

 

Weld to Life is an intervention strategy for young people who have committed an offence or at high risk of doing so.

 

It teaches them practical skills and supports their work with mentoring and structured education, helping youngsters into a career in the metal trades.

 

The program has achieved outstanding results with up to 83 per cent reductions in the offences committed by students who complete the program.

 

The Fitzroy Crossing project, prompted when the Marinwarntikura Fitzroy Women’s Resource and Legal Centre supported liquor restrictions in the district, is funded by the Drug and Alcohol Office.

 

It is enforced by WA Police and supported by prominent indigenous elders.

 

It focuses on reducing alcohol consumption and alcohol-related violence.  The restrictions have seen significant reductions in domestic violence.

 

“I would like to congratulate all the winners of these projects,” Mr Porter said.

 

“It is encouraging to see communities taking ownership of crime and violence and working together to help reduce the problems.

 

“The WA Government acknowledges the efforts and hard work put in by various groups, organisations and agencies who strive to achieve a safer and harmonious community.”

 

State winners which all received Certificates of Merit were:

 

Journey Towards Hope (JoTHe) Dance Project - $5,000.

Women’s Legal Referral Service - $3,000.

Malaga Crime Management Forum - $1,000.

‘SSx2’ Senior’s Security Subsidy Scheme

 

Minister's office: 9222 9211

Date: 30/10/2009
Minister: Porter
Portfolio: Police
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:28:00 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132715 Wheatbelt work camp expressions of interest now open http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132702 Content:

Nominations are now open for expressions of interest from community organisations and all Wheatbelt local governments to host a purpose-built prisoner work camp.

 

Corrective Services Minister Christian Porter said the permanent work camp would be built to house 20 minimum-security prisoners in the heart of a Wheatbelt community.

 

“In the future, this camp will manage a number of small satellite camps to allow prisoners to undertake work in other communities, as well as short periods in more remote locations via mobile work groups,” Mr Porter said.

 

“The proposed camp will, for the first time, allow offenders on community-based orders to access the camp and its services in order to meet sentencing requirements, including programs and community work.

 

The Minister said being offered a place at a work camp was a privilege for prisoners but it was no free ride.

 

“The prisoners are required to work to the standards expected by the community,” he said.

 

“They can work on a range of projects from infrastructure, environmental and heritage work to disaster relief in local communities, usually for not-for-profit organisations.

 

“Each year work camp prisoners repay Western Australian communities with some 75,000 hours of work, worth nearly $1million.”

 

Site selection should be completed by July 2010 with the work camp ready for operation early in 2011.


Applications close on Tuesday, December 15. To discuss the proposed work camp and future development phone Peter Zappelli, Wheatbelt Work Camp Project Officer on 9264 1098. For more information visit, http://www.correctiveservices.wa.gov.au and follow the links under Adults in Custody.

 

Minister's office  - 9220 5050
Date: 28/10/2009
Minister: Porter
Portfolio: Corrective Services
Region: Wheatbelt
]]> Antartis, Jill Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:28:47 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132702 Pilbara native title claims dismissed http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132693 Content:

The State Government has been successful in its application to dismiss two native title claims over land in the Pilbara, including the towns of Dampier, Karratha, Wickam, and Point Samson.

 

The Federal Court yesterday ruled that the Wong-goo-tt-oo people’s claim could not be sustained at law and dismissed the application.

 

Parts of the Yaburara and Mardudhunera people's claim that related to land within Dampier and Karratha were also dismissed on a similar basis.

 

Attorney General Christian Porter has welcomed the court’s decision.

 

“The decision brings clarity to the region, leaving just one claimant group, the Ngarluma people, to deal with for future Act matters such as land releases, public works and the construction of infrastructure,” Mr Porter said.

 

In May 2004, the Ngarluma people were determined as the native title holders for the area surrounding Karratha, Wickam, and Point Samson and have since filed a new claim over the Pilbara towns.

 

The Attorney General said that it was important to the State Government that the overlapping applications be resolved.

 

“While the Liberal-National Government fully supports native title and the land aspirations of indigenous people, it must, in the interests of all Western Australians, ensure that it is dealing with the right people for country,” he said.

 

“Registered native title applicants have procedural rights that not only give them the right to protect country but also the right to compensation when Government Acts extinguish their native title.

 

“In his 2004 decision, Justice Nicholson found that the Wong-goo-tt-oo people were not a native title holding group and determined that it was the Ngarluma people and not the Wong-goo-tt-oo or Yaburara Mardudhunera people that held native title in the areas surrounding the four Pilbara towns.

 

“The State Government believed that this ruling precluded any prospect of success for the remainder of the Wong-goo-tt-oo people's claim and for the parts of the Yaburara Mardudhunera people's claim which related to Karratha and Dampier, and asked that the Federal Court dismiss the claims accordingly.

 

“It is pleasing that the Federal Court has dismissed the applications and that there is now one group of people who have claimed native title rights over the area.

 

“The State Government looks forward to working closely with the Ngarluma people to resolve their claim over the Pilbara towns, by agreement if possible.”

 

Attorney General's office  - 9220 5050
Date: 27/10/2009
Minister: Porter
Portfolio: Attorney General
Region: Kimberley;Pilbara
]]> Antartis, Jill Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:30:16 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132693