Mr Hort questions the Minister regarding a reduced sentence for a child sex offender, allegedly due to conditions at Hakea Prison. The Minister acknowledges judicial independence and states he's unaware of the specific commentary.

⏳ Awaiting AnswerQoN 294Legislative Assembly
Asked
14 May 2026
Portfolio
Corrective Services

QuestionView source ↗

Hakea Prison—Capacity—Judicial comment294.Mr Adam Hortto
theMinister for Corrective Services:I refer to reports
in February that the sentence of a Kalgoorlie man who raped and abused his two
young nieces was reduced because of appalling conditions at Hakea Prison and
the court's complaint that "Corrective Services needs to fix that".
Is the minister aware that his mismanagement of Western Australia's prison
system has now led to child sex offenders having their sentences reduced?Mr Paul Papalia replied:Member, the courts
are independent. When they make decisions, they make them in an independent
fashion. Sometimes, their decisions are open to question by the public and
Western Australians might expect a different outcome, but, ultimately, the
courts make their decisions.Mr Liam Staltariinterjected.Mr Paul Papalia:I am not aware specifically of the
commentary the member is referring to, but on any justification the court may
have made for its decision, it is ultimately its decision alone.
Hakea Prison—Capacity—Judicial comment
294.Mr Adam Hortto
theMinister for Corrective Services:
I refer to reports
in February that the sentence of a Kalgoorlie man who raped and abused his two
young nieces was reduced because of appalling conditions at Hakea Prison and
the court's complaint that "Corrective Services needs to fix that".
Is the minister aware that his mismanagement of Western Australia's prison
system has now led to child sex offenders having their sentences reduced?
Mr Paul Papalia replied:
Member, the courts
are independent. When they make decisions, they make them in an independent
fashion. Sometimes, their decisions are open to question by the public and
Western Australians might expect a different outcome, but, ultimately, the
courts make their decisions.
Mr Liam Staltariinterjected.
Mr Paul Papalia:I am not aware specifically of the
commentary the member is referring to, but on any justification the court may
have made for its decision, it is ultimately its decision alone.

AnswerView source ↗

This question is awaiting a response from the Minister.

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