Tough WA laws for burglars who rape

Burglars who also rape their victims will be jailed for a minimum of 15 years under laws to be debated in Western Australia's parliament.

The proposals, which was the Liberals' first pledge of their successful 2013 election campaign, mean violent home invaders would serve at least 75 per cent of the maximum prison term for their offence.

An offender who breaks into a house and seriously assaults someone will face a minimum seven years and six months in jail.

Indecent assault will carry a minimum five years and three months jail, while the sentence for rape will be a minimum of 15 years.

The changes would also tighten three-strikes rules to stop offenders having their offences bundled together as a single strike.

Police Minister Liza Harvey said more people would be in jail for longer but the community was prepared to pay the cost to put prolific and violent burglars behind bars.

She said a small number of offenders greatly contributed to the 25,000 burglaries in WA each year.

"It may mean there are extra people in the prison system but we're pretty certain that these people are committing more burglaries than we can catch them for," Ms Harvey said.

"If you ask anybody in the community if they'd rather have these people locked in a cell or breaking into their homes they would say no, lock them in a cell."

The legislation will be debated in state parliament next week.