The State Government will move to legislate an extension of the definition of a high risk offender, with legislation to be introduced to Parliament tomorrow.
This afternoon, State Cabinet approved the Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) (Additional High Risk Offenders) Amendment Bill 2024.
The bill will seek to extend the definition of a high risk offender to include a person who has been convicted of an offence against Section 241 of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act – assisting an offender or impeding an investigation in relation to a serious sexual offence or a serious offence of violence.
The High Risk Offenders Act currently applies to those who have been imprisoned after committing a serious sexual offence or serious offence of violence, as well as terror suspects.
Under the Act, the Attorney-General may make an application to the Supreme Court for a high risk offender to be subject to an extended supervision order (ESO). The conditions of an ESO can be similar to those that can be imposed on a person on parole.
If the conditions of an ESO are breached, the offender could become subject to a continuing detention order (CDO).
As put by Peter Malinauskas
My Government places the highest priority on keeping the community safe, and securing justice for crime victims.
One of the first pieces of legislation upon coming to Government was to criminalise concealing or interfering with human remains.
A month ago we announced we are fast-tracking legislation to ensure repeat child sex offenders will face indefinite imprisonment and lifetime electronic monitoring.
As put by Kyam Maher
The Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) Act is an important tool to allow the courts to impose strict monitoring provisions on violent offenders.
The change we are pursuing to the law today will allow the courts to extend these provisions to monitor those who help these offenders cover up their vile crimes.
