2952. Hon Alison Xamon to the minister representing the Minister for Police:
I refer to the answer to my question without notice 393, asked on 12 May 2020, regarding warrants of commitment for fine defaulters, and I ask:
(a) how many individuals have been arrested by Western Australia police on warrants of commitment for fine default during the COVID-19 emergency period; and
(b) has the Minister or the Commissioner of Police taken any action to ensure people are not imprisoned for fine default during this period;
(c) if no to (b), why not?
Hon Stephen Dawson replied:
The Western Australian Police Force advise:
(a) 54 persons are recorded to have been admitted into custody between 16 March and 31 May 2020 with the principle admission reason of ‘Warrant of Commitment’.
(b)–(c) In June 2019 the Commissioner of Police issued a Broadcast that in exceptional circumstances an officer may delay the execution of an ‘Arrest Warrant’.