Attorney Details Measures to Monitor Sex Offenders

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said today that Queensland authorities had the power to closely monitor convicted paedophiles and assured the community that those tough powers were being used on a daily basis.

“Queensland Police have two key systems which allow them to monitor convicted sex offenders in Queensland, the Australian National Child Offender Register and the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) regime,” Mr Shine said.

“Since the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) regime was introduced 11 sex offenders have been breached and there are currently seven offenders who have been returned to prison on continuing detention orders or interim continuing detention orders as a result of breaching their supervision.

“In simple terms, since 2004 any person convicted of child sex offences is registered and police know where the person lives, where they work, the registration and make of the cars they drive and the details of any children they have contact with (for example family members).

Mr Shine said since the establishment of the National Register, 2,700 offenders had been put on the list in Queensland.

“The register also enables alerts to be generated when registered offenders notify that they are planning to travel interstate or overseas.”

In addition, Mr Shine said the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (DPSOA) allowed the Attorney-General to apply to the Supreme Court for the continuing detention of an offender or alternately an order for strict, ongoing supervision once the prisoner has completed his sentence.

“This means that offenders can be monitored electronically, be subject to strict curfews and be banned from consuming alcohol and other substances.

“This regime came into effect in 2003, and was the first such preventative detention legislation validly introduced in Australia.

“The Government is constantly reviewing the provisions with a view to ensuring that the best possible protection is afforded to Queenslanders,” Mr Shine said.

“Last year we tightened the provisions to provide an offence of breaching a supervision order, and also putting a released prisoner who is charged with a breach in a show-cause position in relation to bail, where they must prove there are special circumstances before they will be released prior to the hearing.

“We also made electronic monitoring and curfews a mandatory part of any new order imposed, or for anyone who breaches their order.

“These changes have ensured that Queensland has the best legislation in the country for monitoring sex offenders once they are released from prison.”

Mr Shine said Dennis Ferguson was released from prison in 2003 before the legislation was introduced and was therefore was not subject to any DPSOA applications.”

The Attorney-General has appealed the decision of the District Court to order a permanent stay on the recent charges against Dennis Ferguson. This appeal is listed to be heard in the Court of Appeal later this month.



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