Domestic Violence

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (15:26): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Attorney-General a question about potential breaches of parole.

Leave granted.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: As I mentioned in the last sitting week, for the past year I have been advocating for an extremely brave and determined young woman and her equally committed family after she was violently stabbed close to death by her then husband in a horrendous act of domestic violence almost three years ago. That has escalated in recent months, after her attacker was released from prison on home detention seven months early, despite the sentencing judge specifically precluding him from serving any of his sentence on home detention.

I have asked the Attorney a number of questions on that and am awaiting his response. However, since asking those questions the woman and her family have raised some further serious concerns, which I am committed to seeking answers to. My questions to the minister are:

1. Is a prisoner on home detention and/or parole legally eligible to apply for and receive an ABN?

2. Would it be a breach of parole/home detention if a prisoner applied for an ABN knowing it was illegal to do so?

3. Would it be a breach of parole/home detention if a prisoner applied to be an NDIS support business knowing he had a criminal record, which includes not only horrendous acts of domestic violence but also fraud?

4. Do you think it's appropriate that a person with such an appalling criminal history should be able to operate a business within the NDIS system?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:28): I thank the honourable member for his question. In relation to matters that he has previously raised, I have referred elements of those on to my colleague the minister for corrections, the Hon. Joe Szakacs, and some were also referred to the Commissioner for Victims' Rights, Commissioner Sarah Quick.

I am happy to take on board those further questions that the honourable member has asked in relation to conditions. Each parole has its own conditions. Sometimes there are dozens of conditions that someone has when they are on parole. The interaction with home detention and other issues I am happy to take on notice and bring back the honourable member a reply.