The Honourable Cameron Dick
16/05/2010
Attorney-General flags even tougher laws for dangerous sex offenders
The Bligh Government is strengthening the laws relating to dangerous sex offenders to improve community safety.
Attorney-General Cameron Dick said declared dangerous sex offenders would soon be subject to a mandatory supervision period of at least five years once they were released from prison.
Currently, the Supreme Court can order declared dangerous sex offenders to remain in prison or release them under strict supervision orders, but no minimum time limits are specified.
Mr Dick said declared dangerous sex offenders would also face the prospect of having their supervision orders extended, with the government able to apply for an extra period of supervision when an existing order expires.
"Queensland has the toughest sex offender laws in Australia and a Bill currently before Parliament will make them even tougher," he said.
"Since the proposed amendments were introduced last year, several matters relating to our dangerous sex offender legislation have arisen that require action.
"Some courts have issued supervision orders for periods of two to three years, while others have made allowances to sentences because an offender could face continuing detention or supervision orders some time in the future.
"The Queensland Government's latest amendments recognise that dangerous sex offenders are most likely to re-offend in the first five years after their release from detention.
"A mandatory minimum supervision period provides a greater level of protection to the community by ensuring these offenders are being closely monitored for at least five years.
"Our latest amendments also give the courts clear guidance for setting the minimum time periods for supervision, and ensure that the prospect of a future order should not influence, limit or restrict the duration of any initial supervision order."
Amendments to the Bill before Parliament to be introduced by the government wi ll ensure the Supreme Court will not be restricted when setting the length of a supervision order.
The court has previously made supervision orders for 10 years or more.
"The government's prime concern when we introduced the dangerous sex offender laws was the safety of the community, and this is still the driving force behind our latest changes," Mr Dick said.
The latest amendments to the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 will be moved during parliamentary debate on the Bill. This is expected to take place later this year.
