- New laws ban 82 offenders from attending popular
night spots
- Laws developed after fatal one-punch attack on
nightclub manager Giuseppe Raco
- Further $2.7 million allocated to protect
at-risk children and make popular entertainment precincts safer
Dozens of violent and
anti-social offenders have been banned from entering five Protected
Entertainment Precincts (PEPs) in the year since the Cook Government introduced
tough new laws that have made Western Australia's most popular entertainment
areas safer.
PEP laws give WA Police
the power to issue short-term exclusion orders for up to six months to a person
who displays disruptive, violent, or threatening behaviour in the prescribed precincts of Perth-Northbridge,
Fremantle, Scarborough, Hillarys or Mandurah.
The Commissioner of
Police may also apply to the Director of Liquor Licensing for extended
exclusion orders resulting in five-year bans.
People convicted of
specified offences in a public place within a PEP - including those of a sexual
nature or drink spiking - face a mandatory ban of five years, while offenders
who breach a mandatory exclusion period face a penalty of up to five years'
jail and a $12,000 fine.
Since Protected Entertainment Precincts came into
effect on Christmas Eve 2022:
- the WA Police Force has issued 62 short-term orders;
- the Director of Liquor Licensing has imposed two
extended exclusion orders; and
- convictions for specified offences which took place
in a PEP have resulted in 18 excluded offenders.
Of the 62
short-term exclusion orders that have been issued, 56 related to offending in
Perth-Northbridge, two in Mandurah, two in Hillarys and two in Fremantle.
The legislation was
named in memory of nightclub manager Giuseppe 'Pep' Raco who died after an
unprovoked one-punch attack by a stranger in Northbridge in July 2020.
His wife Enza and
family worked closely with the State Government, WA Police and relevant local
government authorities to develop the tough new laws.
The Cook Government's
zero-tolerance crackdown on violent and anti-social behaviour is designed to
make Perth's vibrant entertainment precincts safer, while supporting businesses
and protecting families.
The Cook Government
is also investing $1.7 million to provide a new safe transport service for
children under the age of 16 who are found unaccompanied in the Perth CBD and
Northbridge areas, while the existing Home Safe Program will expand from
Northbridge to include key areas of the Perth CBD as identified by WA Police.
Just under $1 million
will be allocated for a supported service providing safe and responsive
transport for vulnerable youth on Friday and Saturday evenings between 8pm and
2am.
The transportation
service is a partnership between the Department of Communities, WA Police and
the PTA and will include two youth workers, provided by Nyoongar Outreach
Service and Mission Australia to identify and respond to welfare concerns.
Close to $700,000
will be invested to extend Home Safe from Northbridge, to include areas such as
Yagan Square, Forrest Place and Elizabeth Quay following the success of the
intervention program which saw more than 2,700 interactions from just over 800
children during the initial six-month pilot.
The funding will
enhance the State Government's responses to assist unsupervised children within
the expanded areas through to November 2024 and is designed to help keep young
people safe from risk and harm.
Comments attributed to
Police and Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia:
"PEP laws are helping to
make WA's entertainment precincts safer.
"It's encouraging to see
the new laws have been highly effective in keeping so many offenders out of the
five popular areas, allowing people to safely enjoy their night out with the
reduced risk of encountering violent or antisocial behaviour.
"The WA Police Force has
taken a zero-tolerance approach, removing dozens of offenders who have proven
they don't deserve to be allowed in these vibrant areas.
"We want Perth's popular
night spots to be free of thugs and Protected Entertainment Precincts are
helping to achieve that objective.
"Our vibrant
entertainment areas should be safe places where there is a fun and relaxed
atmosphere that isn't ruined by criminals."
Comments attributed to
Community Services Minister Sabine Winton:
"Northbridge and other
busy Perth CBD entertainment spots are absolutely no place for unsupervised
children.
"The Cook Government is
building on its proven track record of boosting support and better outcomes for
vulnerable children and families.
"By engaging at-risk
youth and getting them home safely with access to appropriate supports we are
protecting children and keeping our entertainment spaces safer for everyone."
