The Andrews Labor Government is protecting Victorians with tough new laws giving authorities stronger powers to tighten the net on serious sex offenders.
Under new legislation introduced into Parliament today, community safety will become the paramount consideration when the Parole Board and courts make decisions about the supervision and management of serious sex offenders.
The Serious Sex Offenders (Detention and Supervision) Amendment (Community Safety) Bill 2016 will also:
- introduce a mandatory minimum term of 12 months imprisonment for intentional or reckless breaches of certain supervision order conditions
- extend the period of time Victoria Police can hold serious sex offenders without charge from 10 to 72 hours
- expand the conditions of supervision orders for serious sex offenders to include a ban on violent offences and behaviour
- provide police with new search and seizure powers when supervising a serious sex offender.
The new powers build on reforms introduced by the Labor Government last year, including changes to bail, stronger powers for Police and Corrections, and a Specialist Response Unit comprising senior Corrections Victoria staff, Victoria Police detectives and intelligence analysts. A 20 bed unit for offenders on supervision orders opened in December at Langi Kal Kal prison.
The Government is carefully considering the Harper Review into the management of serious sex offenders on supervision orders, which will be publicly released subject to any legal, privacy and operational requirements.
Quote attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“Dangerous offenders who are an unacceptable risk to the community should not be in the community – and we're toughening the laws to make sure that happens.”
“This makes it clear that the safety of the community must come first.”
Quotes attributable to Acting Minister for Corrections Robin Scott
“These tough new conditions are being imposed to reduce the risk of serious sex offenders committing violent acts.”
“These reforms also give police and other authorities increased powers to ensure sex offenders in the community are closely monitored and subject to strict conditions.”
“We will not hesitate to make further reforms to keep Victorians safe.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020