The Palaszczuk Labor Government has denied parents the ability to identify child sex offenders living in our neighbourhood.
Member for Burnett and Shadow Minister for Child Safety Stephen Bennett last night called for Labor to support the LNP’s plan for major child-safety reforms, which would have also empowered parents to check the background of anyone who has regular unsupervised access to their children.
It’s the second time Labor has refused to back the plan for a public child sex offenders’ register after Mr Bennett urged the State Government to introduce ‘Daniel’s Law’ earlier this year.
The Member for Burnett, father and grandfather said keeping Queensland children safe should be everyone’s number one priority.
“Ignoring tougher, responsible laws that would protect children from serial violent pedophiles shows the Palaszczuk Government can’t be trusted to protect kids,” Mr Bennett said.
“Our community has a right to this information, I called for action at the beginning of the year, and this latest snub from Labor is particularly bitter and extremely disconcerting.”
The LNP’s plan for a public sex offender register is backed by Sharon Tomlinson and Stephen Cohen, who survived horrific sexual attacks by pedophile Robert John Fardon.
“It has also been backed by leading child safety advocate Bravehearts,” Mr Bennett said.
“Fardon was released into the community without even a GPS tracker thanks to the Palaszczuk Government.
“Even worse, he was originally housed in the same street as a local primary school and next to a kindergarten in Salisbury.
“Parents deserve to know if an offender like Fardon is living in their neighbourhood.
“Our plan puts victims first and lets parents take extra safeguards to protect their kids.”
The public child sex offender legislation would be introduced if the LNP wins the next state election in October 2020.
“If one child is prevented from becoming the victim of sexual abuse then these laws will be worth it,” Mr Bennett said.
28/03/19