We recently reported on the introduction of the McGowan Government’s Liquor Control Amendment (Protected Entertainment Precincts) Bill 2022 – or PEP law.
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It appears the new PEP law will be in place in prescribed entertainment precincts, including Fremantle’s, by summer.
The PEPs law has just passed through the Legislative Assembly and now goes to the Upper House for consideration.
We understand the Bill will be debated in he Legislative Council in the next fortnight. The Government plainly considers it will be passed relatively quickly.
By way of recap, PEPs will be established in Northbridge, Fremantle, Scarborough, Hillarys and Mandurah.
Mandatory exclusion from these areas will apply to anyone convicted of various violent and sexual offences, along with drink spiking offences, for a period of five years after they are released from prison.
Breaches of the exclusion face a penalty of up to five years imprisonment and a $12,000 fine.
Police can also issue an order to exclude someone for up to six months, and further apply for an order of up to five years.
The Premier and the Minister, Dr Buti, say indicative boundaries were created for the five precincts following advice, and further refinement will take place with local governments to finalise the precinct boundaries.
PEPs are named in honour of Giuseppe “Pep” Raco, the victim of an unprovoked one-punch attack in Northbridge in July 2020.
The McGowan Government started developing the Bill following a campaign from the Raco family to strengthen laws around violent offences in entertainment precincts.
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