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.
As stated by 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."
As stated by 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."
