Editorial: Something obviously wrong with the way child sex offences are reported

We are often frustrated that we unable to publish information that would help protect the public. When parents share that frustration, something is obviously wrong, writes the editor.

Ashley Paul Griffith left a trail of scores of young victims.

The crimes of Ashley Paul Griffith are every parent’s worst nightmare. Over the course of two decades and at a number of different centres, the Queensland childcare worker sexually abused at least 69 girls, subjecting them to significant harm. Last year he pleaded guilty to more than 300 charges.

When the news of Griffiths’ offending first broke, media outlets were forbidden from naming the centres where he had worked, due to privacy laws designed to protect victims.

Parents like the Brisbane mother interviewed by The Courier-Mail reporter Mikaela Mulveney today felt helpless.

The mother’s name cannot be used to protect the identity of her child, who had once been cared for by Griffiths.

But she said she was left in the dark when trying to find out about the extent of Griffiths’ offending.

Earlier this month she was shocked to learn the state of Victoria had published exactly which centres another accused predator, Joshua Dale Brown, was employed at, giving parents the information they needed upfront.

He remains before the court, and has not entered any pleas.

Veteran criminal lawyer Bill Potts said Queensland’s privacy laws had denied parents the right to the knowledge of danger their children were exposed to.

“(The laws) should obviously protect children, but the people who have the right to know about those things are the parents,” he said.

At The Courier-Mail we are often frustrated that we unable to publish information that we believe would help protect the public.

When parents share that same frustration, something is obviously wrong.

The good news is that Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said these issues would form part of the Child Death Review Board investigation.

“The perspectives and concerns of the families impacted by the Ashley Paul Griffith matter are critically important to Commissioner Twyford’s review, and they will inform his recommendations about how the system responds to reports of child abuse,” she said.

BAD LOOK AFTER DON SNUB

Polling released on the weekend shows Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has increased his lead on the Opposition since his convincing election victory on May 3.

His “honeymoon” was no doubt helped by the RBA cutting interest rates a few weeks later, and another cut, promised for last week, is now expected in August.

Changing economic fortunes – inflation now seems to be back under control – have neutralised the cost-of-living issue that the Coalition pinned much of their hopes on in the election.

And while much was made of the negative impact that the erratic nature of Donald Trump’s second term as US President had on Peter Dutton’s chances, Australia’s relationship with the US now seems to be one of the few areas of real cut-through for the Coalition.

When Mr Albanese was initially stood-up by Mr Trump at the G7 summit on Canada a month ago – he left to deal with the growing Israel-Iran crisis – most observers were happy to see the PM as an innocent victim of the fast pace of international affairs.

However, the Coalition has continued to hammer the line that Mr Albanese’s inability to secure the all important “face time” with the President shows that the Labor government, as well as our ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd, are not respected by Mr Trump’s administration.

Whether that is true is still up for debate. But politics is about optics, and right now they could not be much worse for the Prime Minister.

Because while Mr Albanese might be having problems securing a meeting with our most important military ally, the leaders of China – the most destabilising force in our region – are laying out the red carpet.

And yesterday Mr Albanese was forced to deflect awkward questions about pressure from US under secretary of defence Elbridge Colby, who wants Australia and Japan to commit to military action if China was the invade Taiwan.

“Our aim investing in our capability, and as well investing in our relationships is about advancing peace and security in our region,” he said as he prepares to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

We understand why Mr Albanese regularly meets with the leaders of our largest trading partner, but it’s a terrible look for someone who has not yet met with Mr Trump.

Meanwhile, the ADF is about to embark on its annual military exercises at various locations around the Australian coast – Operation Talisman Sabre.

The American navy and marines are here in force, as they always are, alongside allies from 19 partner nations, including New Zealand, the UK, Japan, Papua New Guinea and France.

And where will the Chinese be? Probably well off shore, monitoring the situation from spy boats, as they usually do.

It’s hardly the act of a friend.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here

Originally published as Editorial: Something obviously wrong with the way child sex offences are reported