SPENCE CALLS FOR NATIONAL COOPERATION TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF CRIME
Published Wednesday, 27 June, 2007 at 05:00 AM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
Police and Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence is calling on all states and the federal government to work together to protect victims of crime.
Ms Spence says she will be asking her interstate counterparts to join forces, when Australia’s police and corrective services Ministers meet in New Zealand this week.
“During a series of conferences in Wellington over the next two days, I will be calling on my interstate colleagues to make the establishment of a National Victims Register a priority,” Ms Spence said.
“Currently, if someone is listed on the Victims Register in one state, they may not automatically be listed if they move to another state.
“Clearly greater cooperation between the states would allow victims to continue receiving information and protection even if they decide to move to another jurisdiction.”
Ms Spence said she will also be urging conference delegates to work together on the implementation of a national Victim Image Library, to combat child pornography.
“Queensland Police are currently working with the Australian Federal Police to develop a prototype database capable of storing, searching and analysing images of child exploitation seized by all Australian law enforcement agencies,” Ms Spence said.
“The states have previously expressed an interest in establishing such a library, and a business case will be established to detail how much it will cost.
“I’m hoping we will see it up and running in the near future, to help wipe out the existence of internet child pornography in Australia.”
Ms Spence will be representing the Queensland Government at the Corrective Service’s Minister’s Conference, the Intergovernmental Committee of the Australian Crime Commission and the Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Management in Wellington, New Zealand on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
“The Beattie Government wants to ensure robust measures to protect victims in Queensland are bolstered by support around Australia,” Ms Spence said.
“I’m also eager to hear any ideas the other states or the federal government might have that could help protect victims of crime.”
Media Contact: Troy Davies – 3239 6218/ 0439 673 287
Ms Spence says she will be asking her interstate counterparts to join forces, when Australia’s police and corrective services Ministers meet in New Zealand this week.
“During a series of conferences in Wellington over the next two days, I will be calling on my interstate colleagues to make the establishment of a National Victims Register a priority,” Ms Spence said.
“Currently, if someone is listed on the Victims Register in one state, they may not automatically be listed if they move to another state.
“Clearly greater cooperation between the states would allow victims to continue receiving information and protection even if they decide to move to another jurisdiction.”
Ms Spence said she will also be urging conference delegates to work together on the implementation of a national Victim Image Library, to combat child pornography.
“Queensland Police are currently working with the Australian Federal Police to develop a prototype database capable of storing, searching and analysing images of child exploitation seized by all Australian law enforcement agencies,” Ms Spence said.
“The states have previously expressed an interest in establishing such a library, and a business case will be established to detail how much it will cost.
“I’m hoping we will see it up and running in the near future, to help wipe out the existence of internet child pornography in Australia.”
Ms Spence will be representing the Queensland Government at the Corrective Service’s Minister’s Conference, the Intergovernmental Committee of the Australian Crime Commission and the Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Management in Wellington, New Zealand on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
“The Beattie Government wants to ensure robust measures to protect victims in Queensland are bolstered by support around Australia,” Ms Spence said.
“I’m also eager to hear any ideas the other states or the federal government might have that could help protect victims of crime.”
Media Contact: Troy Davies – 3239 6218/ 0439 673 287