Outback borders disappear for law enforcement

17/10/07
Parts of Australia's outback State borders are set to disappear for the purposes of law and order.
Attorney General Jim McGinty introduced the Cross-border Justice Bill into State Parliament today - the first step towards closing the legal gap which allows many offenders to evade justice in the remote Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands.
"The lands cover an area of more than 476,000 square kilometres, where the borders of Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory meet," Mr McGinty said.
"The landmark law means that offenders will no longer be able to use these borders to evade police or the criminal justice system.
"The Cross-border Justice Bill is the first of its kind and will allow magistrates and justice officials of one jurisdiction to deal with offences that occur in another jurisdiction.
"This law will boost community safety for Aboriginal families, especially women and children, living in some of WA's most remote regions.

"Women in the region have told us that offenders are using State borders to dodge the law and this threatens family safety.

"WA is taking the lead by drafting the new legislation, which will allow magistrates, police and justice officers from WA, South Australia and the Northern Territory to work together to bring offenders to justice.
"WA is the first of the three State Governments to introduce the law into its State Parliament.
"This is one of the most innovative pieces of legislation introduced in this country and other States are keen to see the outcomes."
The Cross-border Justice Bill will allow justice officials from the three State Governments to act as officials from the State or Territory where an alleged offence has taken place.
Alleged offenders will be charged and tried under the laws of the State or Territory in which they committed the offence, at any magistrates court in the cross-border region.
They could serve their sentence in any part of the region.
The law will only apply to offences that can be dealt with by a magistrate and adhere to at least one of these criteria:

• the alleged offence occurred in the cross-border region;
• the alleged offender was arrested in the cross-border region; or
• the alleged offender normally resides in the cross-border region.

WA Police and the Departments of the Attorney General and Corrective Services are now working together to develop the operational framework which will support the law.
"The Government has already recognised the need to take action to address the scourge of abuse and violence in Aboriginal communities," Mr McGinty said.
"This law will complement other initiatives aimed at increasing safety in Aboriginal communities, such as the roll-out of multi-functional police facilities and community courts."
Attorney General's office - 9422 3000