I address an issue of paramount importance to the people of Heathcote and all families across New South Wales: the protection of our children from those who would do them harm. The Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Amendment Bill 2024 represents a crucial step in the Government's ongoing commitment to protecting children from serious physical and sexual harm. As a mother of two children, and with four generations of my family residing in the Heathcote electorate, I know how important it is to safeguard our children's wellbeing and mitigate the risk of harm from those with bad intentions. The Minns Labor Government is committed to keeping the children of this State safe. The bill significantly strengthens the powers of New South Wales police, ensuring that they are better equipped to use the Child Protection Register to safeguard children from recidivist child sex offenders.
By enhancing the child protection offender registration regime, we can ensure that those convicted of serious sexual offences against children are subject to stronger reporting obligations and closer monitoring. The Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Act 2000 currently requires child sex offenders in New South Wales to report key personal information to the police. This information, such as a change in residence, employment or interactions with children, is essential for the police to assess in order to mitigate potential risks to our children. The register is a crucial tool for ensuring that those who have committed serious offences remain under proper supervision and are held accountable. By mandating the reporting of such information, we are giving the police the tools they need to intervene and respond where necessary and in a timely fashion, reducing the risk of further harm to children in our State.
The bill strengthens the child protection offender registration scheme in several critical ways. Firstly, it expands the range of offences that trigger mandatory reporting obligations. Offences introduced in recent New South Wales and Commonwealth legislation, including crimes against humanity committed against children such as sexual slavery and enforced prostitution, will now be included. This expansion ensures that all relevant offenders are captured under the scheme without the need for further court intervention. Additionally, the bill tightens the timelines for reporting changes in key personal information. Registered persons will now have just five days, rather than seven, to report changes in residence, employment or vehicle ownership. More importantly, all contact with children, whether in person or through digital platforms like social media, must be reported to the police within 24 hours. This measure will allow police to act quickly and decisively, identifying risks and preventing harm to children.
The bill also requires offenders to report new forms of personal information, such as participation in web‑based games that allow for online communication, as well as any ownership of boats or caravans. This reflects the evolving ways in which offenders can exploit digital platforms and other means to access children. Effective monitoring is key to ensuring compliance with the obligations placed on registered offenders. The bill doubles the number of annual residential inspections that police can carry out. By increasing the frequency of inspections, police will be better equipped to identify any breaches of the reporting obligations, reducing potential risks to children and strengthening compliance. The bill also improves the processes surrounding registration decisions, ensuring greater clarity and fairness. Courts will now be required to make registrable persons orders at the time of sentencing, clearly outlining the reporting obligations of offenders. This guarantees that offenders and authorities are fully informed from the outset.
For adults convicted of child sex offences, these orders will be mandatory, as they are under the current regime. However, for juveniles, courts will have discretion to issue these orders if they deem the individual to present a risk to the sexual safety of children. This will ensure a more considered approach to young offenders who may not pose the same level of risk as adult offenders. The bill will also improve how we handle offenders from other jurisdictions. A person who is subject to reporting requirements in another State or Territory and enters New South Wales will now have five days to report their presence and provide key personal information. For longer-term visitors, a notice will be issued requiring them to report in the same manner as New South Wales-based registrable persons. This will ensure that police have timely and comprehensive information regarding all individuals who are entering the State and pose a potential risk to children.
The reforms in this bill are informed by the findings of Operation Tusket and the ongoing input of the Police Force. In 2019 Operation Tusket revealed several issues with the Child Protection Register, highlighting gaps in enforcement and monitoring. Since then the Government has worked closely with the police and child protection advocates to address these issues. This bill incorporates recommendations from the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission and builds upon the operational experience of our law enforcement agencies. It has been carefully refined over the past three years, with input from key stakeholders in the legal and child protection sectors.
The Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Amendment Bill 2024 is a vital step towards ensuring that our children are protected from the serious harm posed by recidivist child sex offenders. By expanding the offences that trigger reporting obligations, reducing reporting timelines and strengthening the police's monitoring powers this Government is sending a clear message: We will not tolerate any threat to the safety of our children. In conclusion, I thank our police officers and all those who on a daily basis deal with these issues and take care to protect our children. I thank the police Minister and her team for their work and time spent in keeping our young people safe. I commend the bill to the House.
