Tough new laws to protect children from child sex offenders

Courts will be given greater powers to ban registered child sex offenders from being near, or working in schools, childcare centres or playgrounds under tough new legislation introduced by Attorney General, Simon Corbell, in the Legislative Assembly today.

"Under these tough new measures, the bill proposes to increase maximum penalties, tighten reporting requirements and introduce new prohibition orders that will limit circumstances in which registered child sex offenders can be near children," Mr Corbell said.

"Courts will have the power to ban offenders from being within a certain distance of a school or child care centre, engaging in some types of employment, or taking photographs of children.

"ACT Policing will be able to intervene in circumstances where there is evidence that the registered offender poses a risk to a child or children through breaching of this order without a reasonable excuse."

The Magistrates Court will decide what behaviour will be prohibited after considering the behaviour and circumstances of the registered offender's conduct.

"This intervention is aimed at protecting those children identified as at risk, and at addressing the rates of reoffending child sex offenders," he said.

Mr Corbell announced that these amendments will also require registered offenders to report electronic communication identifiers not previously required, including email addresses and chat room usernames.

Prohibition orders will be set at a maximum of five years for an adult offender, and one year for a young offender.

Penalties for 21 offences in the act will be increased from two to five years imprisonment, or 200 to 500 penalty units, or both.

"This legislation will ensure, as far as possible, the safety and protection of children from sexual assault and violence in our community."