State Coalition unveils Serious Sex Offender Public Register plan

PARENTS would be able to obtain photographs of high-risk sex offenders living in their neighbourhood under a radical plan unveiled by the state Coalition, designed to “protect Victorians from the worst of the worst”.

PARENTS would be able to obtain photographs of high-risk sex offenders living in their neighbourhood under a radical plan unveiled by the state Coalition.

And mums and dads could also check whether anyone who has close contact with their children — such as a babysitter or new partner — has a history of serious sex crimes.

The policy has been applauded by child safety crusaders Bruce and Denise Morcombe, whose son Daniel was abducted and murdered by serial predator Brett Cowan in Queensland.

But the state Opposition has stopped short of promising a publicly searchable database, instead requiring people to apply for the information that can’t be shared widely.

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Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said he would introduce new laws to protect Victorians if elected. Picture: Penny Stephens.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said if the Coalition is elected in November, new laws would “protect Victorians from the worst of the worst”.

“Victorians deserve to know if they have a high-risk serial sex offender living in their street,” he said.

“Mums and dads have enough to worry about with the cost of living and jobs pressures without the added worry of whether their kids are safe in their own neighbourhood.”

A new commissioner of the Serious Sex Offender Public Register would assess applications, and decide which high-risk offenders should have their identities revealed.

Photographs, descriptions, and the current suburb the sex pests lives in would then be given to successful applicants who make that “location” search.

When searching based on individuals, a parent or guardian would have to provide their child’s details, the person of interest, and the level of contact they have with the family.

This could include anyone who has regular unsupervised contact with children, for example babysitters, new partners, or even friends of the family.

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Bruce and Denise Morcombe, whose son Daniel was killed by a serial predator, have applauded the plan. Picture: Lachie Millard

Mr Morcombe said this was an important measure aimed at protecting women and children.

“Imagine if you had a sister who was a single mum and met a new partner. This would allow you to check up on that person,” he said.

“Think about a situation that might be close to your heart.”

He said no former victims will be placed on the register.

“It is a register of the most dangerous sex offenders in Victoria and it is these people who pose the most risk to the most vulnerable.”

Mrs Morcombe said there were also safeguards in the plan to stop vigilantism.

This includes penalties of up to 10 years for misuse of information.

There are currently 7193 people on Victoria’s sex offenders register, with 4000 classed as active.

Opposition Corrections spokesman Edward O’Donohue said a Guy government would “make sure the rights of innocent Victorians are more important than the rights of the worst of the worst sex offenders”.

Current laws for “missing offenders” would also be bolstered, with personal details of serious adult offenders who have failed to report to authorities published.

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