Law Council slams Peter Dutton over child-sex offenders register timing

Peter Dutton slammed for giving stakeholders ‘less than 36 hours’ to respond to proposal for national register of child-sex offenders.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton. Picture: AAP

Australia’s peak legal body has slammed Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton for giving stakeholders “less than 36 hours” to respond to a proposal for a national register of child-sex offenders.

Law Council of Australia president Arthur Moses SC said the body was told it had until Friday to provide its initial feedback on the proposal, announced yesterday by Mr Dutton.

Mr Moses said the deadline was “absurd” and rushing the process would lead to flawed legislation.

Law Council of Australia president Arthur Moses SC.

“A consultation period of 36 hours to provide views on such a complex and serious proposal is inappropriate and completely inadequate,” Mr Moses said.

“The Law Council calls on the federal government to allow more time for initial consultation because unconsidered, rushed policy will lead to bad legislation.

“A proper proposal needs to be developed before adequate consultation can occur. Otherwise there is a real risk of the register not protecting the community and it may have myriad unintended consequences.”

Mr Moses said rushing the process for political reasons would be “an affront to all victims of sexual abuse”.

“The community expects our political leaders to formulate policies based on evidence and which are effective. As I said when the proposed register was announced, the Law Council does not, in principle, object to its establishment. However, it must be proportionate and effective,” he said.

“Child sex offending is heinous and debates on these matters are highly emotive. Despite many strong views on the issue, though, the rule of law must always be respected.”

The register proposed by Mr Dutton, which would need the support of the states, would be published on a website and include details of child-sex offenders.

Details would include a person’s name, photograph, aliases, date of birth, nature of offending and general locality.

A spokeswoman for Mr Dutton said the initial feedback would be collated next week.

“That will then be used to inform development of a model and then return to consult further with governments and NGOs,” the spokeswoman said.