Rickuss angry at paedophile move

MP IAN Rickuss has questioned the Qld Govt's policy for placing sex offenders following a convicted paedophile's brief placement to a property near Harrisville.

Member for Lockyer Ian Rickuss. . Picture: File

MEMBER for Lockyer Ian Rickuss has questioned the State Government's policy for placing sex offenders following a convicted pedophile's brief placement to a property near Harrisville.

In a speech to State Parliament last night Mr Rickuss said the decision to place paedophile Mark Anthony Foy in the Scenic Rim town of Harrisville was an "inappropriate, stupid decision."

Mr Rickuss said Foy was a "repeat offender" who was a "high risk" of re-offending.

"In 2001 Foy underwent a sex offenders program...The co-ordinator deemed there was still a high risk of Foy re-offending," Mr Rickuss said.

"So after the expert information - what does the Corrective Services Minister do with Mr Foy?

"He imposes him on one of the smallest communities in south east Queensland - the small community of Harrisville."

Mr Rickuss said the Foy's employers during his Harrisville stay were unaware of his crimes.

"Even the resident who's house Foy was living in and the people he was doing casual work for did not know what a creep Foy was."

However Corrective Services acting commissioner Marlene Morison said Foy's employers were aware of his crimes.

"She was made aware of the details of the offences and the ages of the victims," she said.

"She stated that she was unsure of whether she wanted to take responsibility for housing a 'paedophile' and stated that she would need to reconsider her offer.

"The woman contacted Wacol staff the following day on 19 August, 2011, and advised she had spoken with her husband, and they decided to give offender Foy a chance at residing on their farm and working for them."

Ms Morison said Foy had been located an appropriate distance from facilities where children would be present.

"The property was set on acreage approximately 3.5 kilometres from the centre of Harrisville, 2.3 km from the nearest Primary School.

"The closest parks were 5.9km and 6.6km from the property. The closest licenses premises was 2.6km from the property and the closest shopping centre was... 20.5km from the residence."

Originally published as Rickuss angry at paedophile move