Tough home invasion and burglary laws a top priority for first up debate

Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney said today the Liberal National Government has re-affirmed its commitment to law and order by listing its tough home invasion and burglary laws as the first item for debate this Parliamentary year.  

In delivering this election commitment, the toughest penalties in Australia would be imposed for serious home invasion offenders.  Mandatory sentencing laws for serial home burglars would also be tightened. 

Mr Blayney said the laws will protect the victims - the people who have had their homes broken into and been terrorised and attacked during a home invasion.  

The legislation mandated minimum jail terms of 75 per cent of the maximum sentence for an adult offender who committed serious physical or sexual assault during a home burglary. This means:  

• an offender who breaks into a house and rapes someone will face a minimum of 15 years jail;
• an offender who breaks into a house and seriously physically assaults someone will face a minimum of seven years, six months jail;
• an offender who breaks into a house and indecently assaults someone in aggravated circumstances will face a minimum of five years, three months jail. 

The three strike rules would also be tightened to stop offenders being able to have all their offences bundled together as one strike.  

Mr Blayney said under the new laws, if an offender has committed three burglaries, on three days that is three strikes and they will go to jail.

Mr Blayney said the Liberal National Government was dedicated to making communities safer through tough laws and by providing police with the resources they needed to combat crime and anti-social behaviour.