Proposed changes to WA sex offender laws

Dangerous sex offenders will have less frequent reviews for potential release under proposed amendments to West Australian law, but the opposition says the changes don't go far enough.

Under legislative changes introduced to parliament on Wednesday, the review of a person's dangerous sex offender status will occur every two years instead of one.

Another proposed amendment is to delay the release of an offender by at least three weeks to allow the community to be notified and supervision arrangements to be put in place.

Victims will also be able to make a written submission to the court about conditions for their protection being included in a supervision order.

The court would also have the power to restrict media or public comment from dangerous sex offenders about victims of their crimes.

Attorney-General Michael Mischin said the current legislation was working well, but the changes would improve the system.

"Of those the courts have released under these laws, none have so far committed a further serious sexual offence," he said.

Shadow attorney general John Quigley said the changes were overdue but did not protect the community enough, describing it as "window dressing".

"Dangerous sex offenders who are still deemed a serious risk of reoffending will continue to be released under these changes," he said.

"WA Labor will support these minor changes but they do nothing to address the community's expectations."

Mr Quigley expects the state government to support the opposition's amendments to strengthen the law.

But Mr Mischin said the WA government could not legally detain anyone indefinitely.

"To do so would be constitutionally invalid and as a result, offenders would be released into the community with no supervision and under no controls by WA Police or the Department of Corrective Services," he said.