Consultation on reforms to Commonwealth child sex-related offences
Submissions on reforms to Commonwealth child sex-related offences have closed. Amendments to the Commonwealth child sex-related offences were passed in March 2010.
The Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, invites public comment on proposed reforms to Commonwealth child sex-related offences. The proposed reforms would ensure comprehensive coverage of offences in areas of Commonwealth responsibility.
The reforms, set out in detail in the consultation paper, would:
- strengthen the existing child sex tourism offence regime
- enhance the coverage of offences for using a carriage service for sexual activity with a child or for child pornography or abuse material
- introduce new offences for dealing in child pornography and child abuse material overseas
- introduce new offences for using a postal service for child sex-related activity
- introduce a new scheme to provide for forfeiture of child pornography and child abuse material and items containing such material, and
- make minor amendments to ensure existing law enforcement powers are available to combat Commonwealth child sex-related offences.
