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ABC News
National

Fears WA mother charged with attempted murder of daughter will 'finish the job', Supreme Court hears

The bail case is before WA's Supreme Court in Perth. (Giulio Saggin: ABC News)

West Australian prosecutors have expressed concern that a woman accused of attempting to murder her disabled daughter will "finish the job" if she is released on bail.  

The 40-year-old woman from the Great Southern region, who cannot be named to protect the identity of her child, has been held at Melaleuca Prison since she was arrested and charged in late January.

It is alleged nine days earlier she had obtained a prescription for synthetic insulin from a doctor, Pieter Austin, and then injected it into the child.

When a relative noticed later that the girl was ill, she was rushed to the local hospital, where she was stabilised before being airlifted to the Perth Children's Hospital where she is still being treated.

The woman is yet to enter a plea.

Bail applications refused previously

The mother has already had two previous bail applications refused by a magistrate, but now her lawyer, Anthony Eyers, has taken her case to the Supreme Court.

On Monday he told a hearing before Justice Joseph McGrath that the woman, if released on home detention bail, intended to reside at a house in Perth's eastern suburbs.

Mr Eyers said she would have to wear an ankle bracelet with a GPS in it that would monitor her movements.

However, State Prosecutor Paul Usher said the bail application was opposed, primarily due to concerns the woman posed a risk to the safety of her daughter.

Mr Usher said that after the girl was taken to hospital, the woman was alleged to have repeatedly told people, including staff at the Perth Children's Hospital, that she "does not want to prolong the life of her daughter".

Decision reserved

Mr Usher submitted that there was no condition that could be imposed on the woman to ameliorate the risk that she would return to the hospital "and effectively finish the job".

Mr Eyers described the claim as speculation, saying it was unlikely the woman was going to be able to see her daughter, at least until after the court proceedings were completed.

Justice McGrath reserved his decision until Thursday.

The doctor, Pieter Austin, is also facing a charge of attempted murder but he is yet to enter a plea.

He has also not yet made any application for bail.

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