Senate debates

Thursday, 18 October 2018

Motions

Child Sexual Abuse

12:20 pm

Photo of Derryn HinchDerryn Hinch (Victoria, Derryn Hinch's Justice Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 1153.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That the Senate acknowledges that:

(a) 26 October 2018 marks the 14th annual 'Day for Daniel' – a national day of action to raise awareness about child safety and protection;

(b) according to the Attorney-General's Department, the average custodial sentence for Commonwealth child sexual abuse offences is 1.8 years; and

(c) the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Crimes Against Children and Community Protection Measures) Bill 2017, which seeks to introduce prescribed minimum penalties and a presumption against bail for serious child sex offences, represents a first step in addressing community concerns about manifestly inadequate sentencing practices.

Photo of Anne RustonAnne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute

Photo of Anne RustonAnne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | | Hansard source

The government is committed to protecting children from sexual predators. The government wants the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Crimes Against Children and Community Protection Measures) Bill 2017 to be debated and passed. However, at present, Labor and the Greens don't support the bill and its tougher penalties for child sex offenders. Mandatory minimum sentencing, combined with other measures in this bill, ensure that child sex predators receive appropriate sentences and are in prison so that they are no longer a threat to children. We call on Labor and the crossbench to support the bill.

12:21 pm

Photo of Anthony ChisholmAnthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Photo of Anthony ChisholmAnthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

The sexual abuse of children is intolerable. It is the most heinous crime that can be committed. Labor acknowledges the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and the important work they do to improve children's safety. Labor will be supporting the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Crimes Against Children and Community Protection Measures) Bill 2017, and we will be strengthening it. Labor wants to send paedophiles to jail for longer. We believe the best way to achieve this is through higher penalties. We do not believe that mandatory minimum sentences will help keep children safe. In fact, the expert view from prosecutors, from police associations and from lawyers is that they do not work. Labor has no tolerance for child sexual abuse. We want to see this bill brought forward for debate, and we will be strengthening the bill to help keep children safe.

Question agreed to.