Attorney General must stop release of paedophile

Attorney General John Quigley must act immediately to ensure the planned release of a serial sex offender into the Geraldton community next week does not happen.

Opposition Leader Mike Nahan said the Attorney General should be more concerned with protecting the public than political point scoring.

“In Opposition Mr Quigley called for the Attorney General to overrule the Director of Public Prosecutions and appeal the release of dangerous sex offenders; he is now the Attorney General and the buck stops with him,” Dr Nahan said.

“While Mr Quigley is focusing on his planned legislation, he is overlooking the fact that a serial sex offender, with a known risk of reoffending, is about to be released from jail to live near a school.”

Dr Nahan said Mr Quigley could not distance himself from the fact that he appointed the judge that made the decision to release this offender.

“This decision was made at the discretion of the judge, there was scope within the law for the judge to order this offender remain in jail, and Mr Quigley cannot hide from that fact.” Dr Nahan said.

Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney reiterated that the most urgent task before Mr Quigley was to stop this offender being released into his community.

“Mr Quigley is playing a long blame game and not doing his job to protect the people of Geraldton,” Mr Blayney said.

“The people of Geraldton need to be reassured Mr Quigley has exhausted every possible legal avenue to keep this man in jail.

“Legislation yet to be introduced into Parliament is all well and good and will get due and serious consideration but right now I want the people of Geraldton protected.”