Better Access to Justice for All Western Australians
Political Parties' Election Commitments to the Society’s State Election Campaign 2025
1. A Well-Functioning Legal System
 |  |  |  |
√ $2 million to provide specialised training towards helping more than 5,000 frontline professionals in the justice system respond to FDV. | X | X | X |
2. Criminal Justice Reform
| | | |
X | X | X | X |
3. Youth Justice Reform
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√ Trialling a new initiative aimed at diverting vulnerable young children aged between 5 and 9 away from entering the criminal justice system. In addition, investing in new and expanded bail support services for 10- to 17-year-olds, in Perth and Geraldton. | X | √ $40 million to fund a new Youth Diversion Strategy and establish regional on-country diversion programs around the State. Additional $12 million commitment to community-led youth engagement programs contributing to young people in the regions having access to positive activities and experiences, keeping them out of trouble. | X |
4. Civil Justice Reform
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X | X | X | X |
Area of |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. A Well-Functioning | ✓
In principle support for:A State Judicial Commission. | ✓
In principle support for:A State Judicial Commission. Reform of the Guardianship and Administration Act. Funding to improve court resources and infrastructure. Prioritise increased, sustainable, and predictable state funding for the legal assistance sector. Comprehensive audit of court facilities and infrastructure to ensure they meet the needs of both the legal profession and the wider community. Finalise review of Pro Bono Model Guidelines and publish a report to be tabled in Parliament. Undertake review of the Freedom of Information Act 1992 (WA). Amend the Oaths, Affidavits and Statutory Declarations Act 2005 as well as the Property Law Act 1969 to enable affidavits, statutory declarations and deeds to be witnessed electronically and by audio visual link. | ✓
In principle support for:Funding to improve court resources and infrastructure. Fully support the establishment of a Judicial Commission and commit $4 million annually to its operation. Urgent and comprehensive audit of court facilities across metropolitan and regional WA. | ✓
In principle support for:Additional Legal Assistance Services funding. Court facilities. Establishment of a State Judicial Commission. Review of WA Pro Bono Model Guidelines. Freedom of Information system improvements. Digital practice issue improvements. |
2. Criminal Justice | ✓$2 million to provide specialised training towards helping more than 5,000 frontline professionals in the justice system respond to family and domestic violence (FDV). | ✓
$100 million for expanded trackingof people who breach Violent Restraining Orders. | ✓$75 million to address FDVacross the State, focusing on delivering practical support for victim-survivors and funding to improve prevention and response efforts. | ✓Increased funding for critical domestic violencecrisis services and prevention programs. Increased funding for stable and long-term safe accommodation for women and children experiencing FDV. Implementing the recommendations of The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (UN Mandela Rules). In principle support for: Repealing mandatory sentencing laws. |
3. Youth Justice | ✓Deliver a $7.8 million program, which willdecrease the likelihood of children engaging in offending behaviour. Trialling a new initiative aimed at diverting vulnerable young children, aged between 5 and 9, away from entering the criminal justice system. Invest in new and expanded bail support services for 10 to 17-year-olds, in Perth and Geraldton. | ✓
Conduct an independent reviewof the youth justice system. Close Unit 18 at Casuarina Prison. | ✓$40 million to fund a new Youth DiversionStrategy and establish regional on-country diversion programs around the State. An additional $12 million commitment to community-led youth engagement programs, contributing to young people in the regions having access to positive activities and experiences, keeping them out of trouble. Review and rewrite of the Young Offenders Act 1994 to align with modern community expectations and to intervene earlier in the justice process. | ✓Closing Unit 18 at Casuarina Prisonby 30 June 2025. Raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14. The creation of a new lead agency for Youth Justice that is separate from Corrective Services. $120 million to develop a Youth Justice Strategy and invest in preventative and therapeutic programs to keep young people out of prison and supported in their community. Fast-track the delivery of the Marlamanu on-country diversionary program in the Kimberley and an additional $100 million to work with First Nations to progress similar facilities in the East Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields, Mid West and South West regions. In principle support for: Independent review of the youth justice system in WA. |
4. Civil Justice |
| ✓Enshrine a Human Rights Act for WA.Equal Opportunity Act reform. In principle support for: Amendments to Elder Law legislation and the Relationships Register. |
Media Announcements
- 4 March 2025 – Read the letter from the Shadow Attorney General Nick Goiran MLC responding to the Law Society’s State Election Campaign recommendations. Click here.
- 28 February 2025: Read the letter from the Leader of the Nationals WA, Shane Love MLA, responding to the Law Society’s State Election Campaign recommendations. Click here.
- 25 February 2025 – Read the letter from The Office of the Hon Dr Brad Pettitt MLC, Member for South Metropolitan, supporting all four key areas of law reform the Law Society is advocating for. Click here.
- 20 February 2025 – Read the media release: Liberal Party heeds Law Society’s call for a Judicial Commission and elder law reform. Click here.
- 23 January 2025 – Read the media release: Nationals Respond to Law Society’s Call. Click here.
