Published Tuesday, 17 April, 2007 at 02:29 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
NEW LAWS TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY PROTECTION AGAINST SEX OFFENDERS
The Queensland Government has introduced proposed new laws into State Parliament today to strengthen the community’s protection from risk posed by dangerous sex offenders.
Attorney-General Kerry Shine said the proposed amendments would mean released sexual offenders could be returned to jail for up to another two years if they breach the mandatory conditions placed on their release.
Mr Shine said the amendments were to the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003, which allows the Supreme Court to order the continuing detention or supervised release of serious sex offenders beyond the end of their jail sentence.
“For those offenders who are released on a supervision order containing a number of mandatory conditions the Court considers appropriate to ensure the adequate protection of the community,” Mr Shine said.
“The current process is tailored to allow the released offender, suspected of breaching the conditions of their supervision order, to remain in the community pending the Court’s final determination on the breach.”
“Under the proposed changes, where a Police or Corrective Services officer reasonably suspects a contravention of the supervision order by a released offender, they can apply to a Magistrate for a warrant for the arrest of that person to bring them before the Supreme Court.”
“Currently, a warrant for the arrest of the released offender can only be issued if the released offender is considered a flight risk.”
“Further, these amendments will mean that if the Court is satisfied the supervision order has been breached, it must rescind the order and make a continuing detention order unless the Court is satisfied the protection of the community can be ensured by a supervision order.”
Mr Shine said the Government also proposed to provide a deterrent to breaching supervision orders, by inserting an offence carrying a maximum penalty of two years jail to apply to a released prisoner who contravenes a condition of their supervision order without a reasonable excuse.
17 April 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3239 6400 or 0418 197 350
kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au
Attorney-General Kerry Shine said the proposed amendments would mean released sexual offenders could be returned to jail for up to another two years if they breach the mandatory conditions placed on their release.
Mr Shine said the amendments were to the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003, which allows the Supreme Court to order the continuing detention or supervised release of serious sex offenders beyond the end of their jail sentence.
“For those offenders who are released on a supervision order containing a number of mandatory conditions the Court considers appropriate to ensure the adequate protection of the community,” Mr Shine said.
“The current process is tailored to allow the released offender, suspected of breaching the conditions of their supervision order, to remain in the community pending the Court’s final determination on the breach.”
“Under the proposed changes, where a Police or Corrective Services officer reasonably suspects a contravention of the supervision order by a released offender, they can apply to a Magistrate for a warrant for the arrest of that person to bring them before the Supreme Court.”
“Currently, a warrant for the arrest of the released offender can only be issued if the released offender is considered a flight risk.”
“Further, these amendments will mean that if the Court is satisfied the supervision order has been breached, it must rescind the order and make a continuing detention order unless the Court is satisfied the protection of the community can be ensured by a supervision order.”
Mr Shine said the Government also proposed to provide a deterrent to breaching supervision orders, by inserting an offence carrying a maximum penalty of two years jail to apply to a released prisoner who contravenes a condition of their supervision order without a reasonable excuse.
17 April 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3239 6400 or 0418 197 350
kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au