Three strikes rule for VRO breaches - strictest in Australia

People who breach a violence restraining order (VRO) three times will likely find themselves in jail after the strictest changes to the system in Australia passed WA Parliament last night.

Attorney General Christian Porter said the new laws would see more offenders locked up for domestic or violent abuse as well as provide stronger protection to victims of violence in the community.

"The legislation means 'three-strikes and you're in'," Mr Porter said.

"With the strictest penalties in the nation, if a person breaches a VRO three times they should now expect to go to jail," Mr Porter said.

"Unfortunately, court statistics show that prior to these laws, a person could breach a VRO four or more times but only face a 25 per cent chance of imprisonment.

"The Liberal-National Government took the view that this was unacceptable. Vulnerable people rely on our justice system for protection.

"To ensure that protection there must be a clear understanding that orders of a court are sacrosanct and there will be serious consequences if those orders are breached."

Mr Porter said the legislation would also allow WA Police to extend on-the-spot orders from 24 to 72 hours without needing the victim's consent.

Importantly breaching a VRO will now be considered a 'serious offence', so an accused will find it a harder to get bail.

Claiming the protected person gave them consent will also no longer stand-up as a mitigating factor in a breach.

Since their introduction in 1998 the number of VRO applications has grown from about 8,000 a year to more than 13,000 in 2010. 

"I'm pleased that we were able to pass this critical legislation through Parliament without amendment," Mr Porter said.