Labor proposes laws to keep track of alleged violent abusers using GPS ankle bracelets

People accused of hurting or stalking their partner could be made to wear GPS trackers under a legal crackdown.

Serious domestic violence abusers would have to be tracked by GPS monitoring when released on bail if laws proposed by the Opposition are approved.

The tougher measures would apply to people charged with crimes such as assault of a partner or child, rape, choking, stalking, kidnapping or damaging an ex-partner’s property.

To be eligible for release on bail, while awaiting a court outcome, they would have to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet tracked by correctional services officers.

Labor MP Katrine Hildyard has proposed the crackdown on alleged abusers who “despite numerous cautions, continue to harass, intimidate and assault” their victims.

“It has been proven this can make a difference,” she said, citing findings by SA authorities, Queensland Police and the national Research Organisation for Women’s Safety.

In April, The Advertiser revealed that a study by SA’s Correctional Services Department found real-time monitoring of alleged abusers released on bail dramatically reduced the likelihood they would hurt their victims again. Those who did reoffend were also more likely to be detected and face consequences.

At the time, the department said a decision to monitor someone on bail was made by the courts but there was “no shortage” of devices.

The state government has since pledged $4m for another 100 monitoring bracelets.

A government spokeswoman said Attorney-General Vickie Chapman was considering law changes which could enable courts to order GPS tracking of people who breach intervention orders, meant to keep them from their victims.

Federal Women’s Safety Minister Anne Ruston has signalled she is open to proposals on “technology or new penalty regimes” which would more closely monitor abusers.

She flagged the issue in the wake of the April murder of Adelaide baby Kobi Shepherdson by her father, who had a history of violence.

In Tasmania, the government has committed $2.4m to extend a trial where electronic surveillance of high-risk abusers led to an 82 per cent reduction in high-risk incidents.

Such monitoring has been backed by Arman Abrahimzadeh, whose mother Zahra was murdered by her estranged husband, and the children of Graziella Daillér, who was killed by her estranged partner.

However, Law Society of SA criminal law committee co-chair Craig Caldicott has previously urged caution, noting people could remain on bail for months or years awaiting a court resolution.