New laws to ban violent thugs from Perth, Mandurah party precincts

Wednesday, 28 September 2022 12:22

By Monique Welhan

The State Government will introduce new laws to ban violent thugs from popular entertainment precincts in Perth and Mandurah.

The new laws aim to protect people from death or serious injury during a night out.

Following advice from WA Police, indicative boundaries have been created for five precincts, including: Northbridge-Perth, Fremantle, Scarborough, Hillarys and Mandurah.

Protected Entertainment Precincts (PEP) are named in honour of Giuseppe "Pep" Raco, the victim of an unprovoked one-punch attack in Northbridge in July 2020.

The State Government has started developing the Bill following a popular campaign from the Raco family to strengthen laws around violent offences in entertainment precincts.

Mandatory exclusion from these areas will apply to anyone convicted of various violent and sexual offences, such as murder, sexual penetration without consent and unlawful assault causing death, along with drink spiking offences, for a period of five years after they are released from prison.

Breaches of this exclusion face a penalty of up to five years imprisonment and a $12,000 fine.

Police can also issue an order to exclude someone for up to six months if they engage in antisocial, disorderly, indecent or threatening behaviour.

Exemptions to exclusion from the precincts will apply for work, residential, education, health and other approved purposes.

"Protected Entertainment Precincts are about reducing violent and thug behaviour in our popular precincts, creating safer, more vibrant entertainment and nightlife areas for everyone," Premier Mark McGowan said.

"Everyone deserves to be able to enjoy a night out free from harm or threatening behaviour, and workers in entertainment precincts should also be able to safely go about their business.

"I thank Enza and the Raco family for their commitment to campaigning to strengthen our laws and for working with us as we strive to achieve these significant reforms."

Consultation will begin with stakeholders to refine the precinct boundaries ahead of the Liquor Control Amendment (Protected Entertainment Precincts) Bill 2022 being introduced to Parliament next month.

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