WEST Australian Police Minister Liza Harvey has moved to justify new police pursuit laws, dismissing criticism by the opposition as disingenuous scaremongering.
Ms Harvey last month introduced the new legislation, which is in the lower house and is still to go through the upper house.
It is expected to be passed in the few parliament sitting days that remain this year.
She says the bill is designed to protect officers from prosecution if they injure or kill another person during a chase - as long as they drive reasonably and in accordance with force guidelines.
It's understood the WA Police Union is seeking urgent advice on the legislation amid concerns it will have the opposite effect.
Opposition justice spokesman John Quigley, a QC, told parliament late on Tuesday that the legislation put the burden of proof on police officers, who would now have to prove in court they believed they were driving safely.
On Wednesday, Ms Harvey rejected his comments.
"Mr Quigley is scaremongering in putting this out there," she told Fairfax radio.
"The legislation that we are trying to get through actually provides an additional defence to police officers."
She said the state government had obtained "the best" legal advice that the legislation would provide officers with "what they required to go about their business".
"He's (Mr Quigley) saying that the officers need to prove ... defence beyond reasonable doubt - that's not true," Ms Harvey said.
"The defence is a balance of probabilities.
"For John Quigley to come out today and suggest we've done police over somehow ... is disingenuous."
Ms Harvey said she refused to table the police commissioner's guidelines for pursuits in parliament on Tuesday because it was an operationally sensitive document.
The proposed legislation also hands drivers who kill or injure other road users while being chased by police a minimum 12 months in jail.
A minimum six months' detention will apply to those charged with reckless driving while fleeing police, which is defined as exceeding the speed limit by 45km/h or more or driving over 155km/h.
The maximum penalty for such an offence is five years jail.
Opposition spokesman for state development and energy Bill Johnston had earlier told parliament that the legislation made "some small changes around the edges that allows the minister to say that she's acting".
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