Sex-offence register: states play for time

The WA government has expressed support for a national public child-sex offender register, while eastern states raised concerns.

Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton wants states to sign up to a national child-sex offender register. Picture: AAP

The WA government has expressed support for a national public child-sex offender register, while eastern states yesterday raised concerns about the scheme but did not rule out joining up.

The mixed responses came amid debate among child protection campaigners over the ­effectiveness of a national register championed by federal Home ­Affairs Minister Peter ­Dutton.

The Australian yesterday revealed Mr Dutton’s backing for the register, designed to allow parents and families to check on ­people with access to their children or in their community.

It would need support from the states and territories, which would provide for publication on a website information such as a registered offender’s name, photo­graph, aliases, date of birth, nature of offending and postcode.

WA operates its own public register of child-sex offenders. “Broadly supportive and look forward to seeing more detail, ­although it would likely make little difference in WA,” state Police Minister Michelle Roberts said.

“There are safeguards in our system such as having to enter driver’s licence details (to search the register). That’s why we actually need to see the detail.”

Queensland’s Labor government said it wanted more information, with Police Minister Mark Ryan warning of unintended consequences. Offenders could be driven underground, making it harder for police to monitor them, he said. “Any proposed public register … would require detailed and comprehensive consideration of possible implications, including whether it would lead to the identification of child victims.”

Queensland Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington, deputy leader Tim Mander and former attorney-general Jarrod Bleijie voted against such a proposal in 2014, Mr Ryan said.

Mr Mander yesterday urged the state government to sign up, backing calls for it to be named “Daniel’s Law” in memory of murdered Sunshine Coast schoolboy Daniel Morcombe. “An online sex-offender registry would keep parents informed and provide them crucial information,” he said.

South Australia publishes limited details about offenders who go missing or provide false or misleading information.

“This is a sensitive issue and we have sought advice from SAPOL,” SA Police Minister Corey Wingard said. “Once we review that advice, we will be able to make an informed decision on that matter.”

NSW Police Minister Troy Grant said people “absolutely deserve to feel safe”, but expressed reservations: “While the NSW government will continue to review the proposal, we do have preliminary concerns with its operation and associated risks.”

A NSW joint select committee chaired by Mr Grant considered and rejected a similar proposal in 2014, citing inherent risks.

There are concerns innocent community members could be targeted where they have a similar name to the offender or their alias, or a similar appearance. Victims could be inadvertently identified.

A spokesman for Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville said the state Labor government was “happy to participate in a national discussion … but we will be guided by the experts — including Victoria Police”.

Crossbench senator Derryn Hinch said he could “die happy” after the federal government announced its support for the register. He had lobbied for the register with Daniel Morcombe’s parents, Bruce and Denise. “This is the only reason I got into politics,” he said.