GPS devices for offenders

Family violence funding boost

TASMANIA will trial electronic monitoring of high risk family violence offenders with portable GPS devices under a $2.79 million initiative.

The three-year measure will be included in today’s Budget and implemented in partnership with the Federal Government.

Each government will provide $1.4 million toward the trial.

The Budget will also include $1.68 million to establish a Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit inside the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and $3.4 million over four years to roll out body worn cameras for frontline police officers.

A further $420,000 over two years will go toward an Eligible Persons Register, allowing victims of family viol- ence to opt to be informed of a prisoner’s location and progress in the prison system.

The GPS monitoring trial will involve a target group of high-risk perpetrators who have monitoring conditions placed on them as part of a family violence order.

Victims will be able to carry a portable GPS device to enhance the ability of officials to detect breaches, including approaches made to victims outside identified exclusion zones.

“With monitoring happening in real time it will help to keep women and their children safe,” Premier Will Hodgman said.

The measure is part of the Federal Government’s $100 million women’s safety package.

Women’s Legal Service chief executive Susan Fahey said she would question whether GPS tracking for offenders should be a priority.

Ms Fahey said funding for prosecutions was needed.

“Subject to the detail of what it’s going to be, I would welcome money going into prosecutions, particularly if it’s helping victim support and things like that,” she said.

Ms Fahey said the Eligible Persons Register was a good move.

Domestic violence campaigner and SHE executive officer Allina Thomas said existing family violence services were overwhelmed and needed more funding.

She said many women experiencing family violence did not seek support and programs should focus on helping those women.

The Budget will also include $15.4 million over the next two years to continue the State Government’s family violence action plan.