Peter Dutton pledges to create national child sex offender register
The Liberal leader outlined the plan on Thursday night as he discussed his work as an officer working on solving sex crimes, in the drug squad and in surveillance.
National
Don't miss out on the headlines from National. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Peter Dutton has pledged to create a national child sex offender register to name and shame criminals if he is elected Prime Minister.
The Liberal leader outlined the plan on Thursday night as he discussed his time in the Queensland Police Force working on solving sex crimes, in the drug squad and in surveillance.
“I think we do justice to some of those victims, if we can provide more information, not less, to communities about where the risk is in their community and the precautions that parents need to take,” Mr Dutton told Sky News host Peta Credlin.
“We tried to push it when we were in government. The states by and large weren’t interested.”
Five years ago the Morrison Government commenced national consultations on a proposal to establish a National Public Register of Child Sex Offenders.
It planned to make certain information about child sex offenders available on a publicly accessible website.
As the Minister for Home Affairs said, a register would be an important measure to improve protections for families and children.
“It would have a strong deterrent effect on offenders and ensure that parents are not in the dark about whether a registered sex offender has access to their children,” he said.
“The abuse and exploitation of children is a global epidemic that is becoming more prevalent, more organised and more extreme.
“Thwarting that exploitation is a key priority for me as Minister for Home Affairs. I have always fought for the protection of children and this is a battle that we must win.”
Some states and territories already publicly release information about child sex offenders in specific circumstances.
“It will send a clear message that Australia will not tolerate individuals preying on the most vulnerable members of the community – our children,’’ Mr Dutton said.
“I look forward to working with the state and territory government and key non‑government stakeholders on this important initiative.”
Peter Dutton backs ban on transgender girls playing female sports
In the same interview with Credlin, Dutton hinted he supports US President Donald Trump’s moves to stop trans people competing in sport against biological girls, declaring that allowing it to occur is “not in the spirit of sport.”
The Liberal leader hit out at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over a range of issues for chasing inner-city left voters and insisting there are “two sexes”.
During the interview, Credlin observed that “I know your daughter’s a swimmer. I used to row at uni, but if I’d had to compete with biological men, I wouldn’t have got a look in. I mean, surely it’s not controversial to want to protect sports for girls?”
“No, it’s not,’’ Mr Dutton replied. “And again, I think it’s one of those debates that we have to be honest in, and it’s not about discriminating against anyone, including young girls.
“I just don’t believe in discriminating against anyone, not on the basis of anything, and for young girls not to be able to achieve their Olympic dream, their pathway to a World Cup, or to be displaced from a team, because, you know, somebody has a physiological advantage over them. I just don’t think that that’s in the spirit of sport.”
Originally published as Peter Dutton pledges to create national child sex offender register
Laos snub in teen deaths ‘disappointing’
Laos has not yet accepted Australia’s offer to help investigate the deaths of Australian teens Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones.
Aussie MP legally changes name to Trump
An independent MP has raised eyebrows after legally changing his name in an effort to secure his seat at the election, taking inspiration from politics abroad.