Perth nightlife laws found error-prone and discriminatory

A probe by Western Australia Ombudsman Bevan Warner into the state’s Protected Entertainment Precincts (PEP) laws has revealed significant administrative failures and social inequities. While the laws, introduced in 2022 following a fatal one-punch attack, have improved public perception of safety in nightlife areas like Northbridge and Fremantle, the investigation found the implementation to be “error-ridden.”

Warner reported that information blockages between the WA Police and the Racing, Gaming and Liquor agency resulted in some serious offenders failing to receive required bans. The agency’s reliance on manual information gathering rather than direct access to police systems led to these errors.

Furthermore, the ombudsman confirmed concerns previously raised by groups such as the Aboriginal Legal Service WA, noting that the exclusion orders have disproportionately targeted Aboriginal people and the homeless. The laws allow for bans ranging from one day to five years for adults in designated precincts including Perth, Mandurah, and Scarborough.