A heated row has erupted in the WA Parliament after revelations a notorious and dangerous child sex offender was released in Perth without any details being provided about where the man will live in the metropolitan area.
Despite the Supreme Court ordering the offender, known as "DAL", to reside in the city of Geraldton, Attorney-General John Quigley confirmed authorities had granted the man permission to live in Perth instead.
DAL was first convicted of a child sex offence in 1975 and has been prosecuted for a range of other violations since then, including one in 1991 when he abused his young nephew as he was being driven from prison.
The State Opposition seized on the lack of details provided about DAL's release, saying it meant people across Perth would be "living in fear", but Mr Quigley insisted he could not appeal the decision.
Mr Quigley said the fact DAL's intended address in Geraldton became publicly known meant it "became impossible to manage him" at that location.
Instead, the Department of Justice authorised him to be temporarily released to an unknown Perth location.
"The actual location to where he is being released is unknown to me," Mr Quigley said.
"This is a decision taken by the Community Corrections Officer, in concert with the court.
"There will be a continued suppression order on the exact address and whereabouts of that offender."
The Department of Justice said in a statement it "recognises community concern" surrounding the man's release, but said he would be closely monitored.
"He will be subject to an eight-year supervision order consisting of 47 specific conditions including near real time 24/7 GPS monitoring, reporting requirements, compliance with treatment, curfew and other conditions," the statement said.
'Lifelong sexual deviancy'
The August decision to release DAL stated that he "remains a serious danger to the community" and "he would be required to reside in Geraldton, if he was released".
"The respondent's sexual deviancy is likely to be lifelong," the judgement stated.
One victim also specifically asked that DAL be prevented from visiting some Perth suburbs, including Midland and Leederville.
In heated scenes in State Parliament, Mr Quigley was repeatedly questioned about why he would not lodge an appeal to attempt to keep DAL in custody.
"The Solicitor-General has advised me, on the basis of the law as it stands now, once the [Director of Public Prosecutions] has acted, I can't," Mr Quigley said.
The Attorney-General insisted DAL has been monitored "like a hawk" since his released from custody.
Previous plans to release DAL to Geraldton had sparked substantial community concern in the Mid-West, with a petition urging the Government to intervene.
Mr Quigley said the Government would "urgently" seek to get tighter laws governing dangerous sex offenders through State Parliament tomorrow, legislation he insisted would be the strongest of its kind in the country.
