SDA calls for urgent reform after a fast food manager charge with possessing child abuse material continued to work with teens

A man arrested in a global child abuse sting continued supervising underage workers after being charged – and there are warnings the incident is not isolated.

A fast food manager arrested as part of an international crack down on the traders of child abuse material was able to continue working and supervising underage workers because his employers had not been told of his charges.

Brendan Nazer was caught with 25 videos of child abuse stored on a mobile phone in his room.

The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association, which represents fast food and retail workers, has called for an urgent review of procedures which they believe are exposing young workers to sexual predators.

The Advertiser has seen letters sent by the SDA to the Attorney General’s Department and Police Minister Vincent Tarzia calling for an urgent review of the legislation.

Mr Tarzia responded by directing the SDA to then Attorney-General Vickie Chapman in line with the government’s internal procedures.

Last week, the AGD responded to the SDA by directing them to police.

SDA Secretary Josh Peak said strong protocols were in place to protect children in school and education settings, but these did not translate to teenager’s workplaces.

“Young workers are some of the most vulnerable in the workplace,” he said.

“There are no substantial measures to protect children at work from predators if they’re co-workers.

“It’s crucial that there are stronger protections to keep our kids completely safe at work.

“For 9 months, the SDA has called on the Government to respond to these concerns, it’s shocking they have not done so.”

He said the case of Nazer was alarming as the manager continued to work with teenage workers in a position of authority while facing serious criminal charges.

Nazer’s employer – an international fast food chain – was not aware of the offending or that charges had been laid.

A police spokeswoman said there was the potential to reform procedures.

“While the Child Sex Offenders Registration Act is complex and rigorous in the limitations of disclosure, there is scope to further examine the current practices in disclosing suspect and offender details relating to those charged or convicted of child sex offences,” she said.

“What is a major consideration for police is any real risk to children as young and vulnerable victims and how this is balanced with appropriate work environments available to child sex offenders.”

The spokeswoman said that changes to laws in May 2020 which allowed for the media to identify anyone charged with a sexual offence after their first court appearance meant the community could be better informed.

Nazer was spared jail for his offending. His lawyer argued during submissions on sentence that Nazer was likely to lose his job as a fast food manager when he was sentenced.

He was caught as part of Operation Molto – a global initiative which begun in New Zealand after police discovered thousands of people using an online cloud storage platform to trade child exploitation material.