Uncovering the truth behind criminal property confiscation and financial targets

Following the money trail

As a medical doctor, I have always believed that when something is wrong, you investigate the root cause. You do not simply patch over a wound if the infection underneath is spreading. This same logic applies to our public institutions. When we see processes within the justice system that lack clarity, it creates a gnawing doubt in the community. How can we trust the mechanics of our laws if the agreements behind them remain shrouded in secrecy?

This week in the Legislative Council, I asked a series of questions regarding criminal property confiscation. Specifically, I wanted to know if there were agreed targets linked to bonus payments for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. It is a reasonable question for a taxpayer to ask. We need to know that our legal system is driven by justice, not by financial incentives or quotas that might cloud impartial decision-making.

The danger of quiet bureaucracy

There is a real risk when we allow silence to become the default setting for government. If we stop asking these questions, we allow the machinery of the state to operate without oversight. This is not just about paperwork or internal accounting. It is about the fundamental integrity of the law. When any part of our justice system feels like a closed loop, the public pays the price in lost confidence.

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The official response

The government responded by stating that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions does not have, nor do they work to, a target in respect of these payments. They cited the relevant section of the Criminal Property Confiscation Act 2000 as the guiding framework for how these payments are made. While this answer provides a surface level of assurance, our work as evidence-based legislators does not end there.

We have seen too many instances where the system serves itself rather than the people. I will continue to keep a watchful eye on these processes because independent oversight is the only way to ensure the public interest remains the priority. You can review the full exchange regarding this matter in the formal Hansard record. If you agree that we need more transparency and common sense in our political system, I invite you to join Legalise Cannabis WA as we continue to push for a more open and honest future.