Arabic version: إقليم العاصمة الأسترالية يتخلى عن خطة الأساور الإلكترونية للعنف الأسري

According to ABC News, the ACT government has abandoned its pledge to electronically monitor some domestic and family violence perpetrators and other offenders in the community, saying the proposed scheme would be too costly.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced the proposal in 2024 following a national summit focused on domestic and family violence. The Justice and Community Safety directorate said it had explored using ankle bracelets for domestic and family violence perpetrators, as well as people on intensive correction orders, parole, bail and other conditions.

A directorate spokesperson said monitoring a relatively small number of offenders could cost more than $4 million a year, with domestic and family violence monitoring rising to $18 million annually. The government decided not to implement an electronic monitoring scheme during its current term.

Corrections Minister Caitlin Tough said electronic monitoring could help free space at the Alexander Maconochie Centre and allow people to transition into the community, but said operating such a system was not feasible at this time because of the ACT’s size. She said the government and community were appalled by the continuing escalation of family domestic violence.

Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT chief executive Sue Webeck said her organisation was not consulted during early scoping. She said electronic monitoring could not replace people and services responding when risk was evident, and warned the technology could create an illusion of safety. Australian Federal Police Association representative Troy Roberts said police were disappointed, arguing the technology could assist in monitoring serious and domestic violence offenders, including people on bail.