SYKES –– BRACKS’ WORKING WITH CHILDREN BILL WON’T WORK

The Nationals opposed the Working with Children Bill when it was debated in Parliament this week, because in its current form it is complex, inconsistent, will be an administrative nightmare for community groups and sporting clubs and it simply won’t address the biggest threat posed to our children.

The Nationals Members for Benalla, Bill Sykes said, “The Nationals strongly support all practical measures to protect our children against sexual abuse but this Bill is not practical. The Nationals moved an amendment for the Bill to be deferred until the Bracks’ Government thoroughly examines similar legislation in Queensland and New South Wales and comes up with a Bill that makes sense.

“A delay of six months in introducing this important legislation is a small price to pay for getting it right the first time.

Dr Sykes continued, “There are about 3,000 known offenders in amongst a population of 5 million or so Victorians. Testing 650,000 people will identify some of these offenders but as only a small percentage of sex offenders have actually been convicted, most potential sex offenders will still not be detected by this intrusive testing regime.

“Furthermore, the Government admits that most of those who pose a threat to our children will be exempt from this legislation, as in 85% of child sexual abuse cases the offender is a member of the victims’ own family or a close family friend – who are exempt from police checks.

“The legislation provides for free testing for volunteers working with children but requires those same volunteers to pay for another, exactly the same police check, if they wish to engage in paid employment which involves working with children.

The inconsistencies go on according to Dr Sykes, “Young people, up to the age of 20, at secondary schools do not require a police check to work with children on projects organised by the school but they will require a police check to do similar work with children through a sporting club or community group.

Dr Sykes concluded, “Our children must be protected against sexual abuse. Sound legislation is part of that protection and should support child protection policies of families and communities.

“The current Working with Children Bill needs substantial change to make it practical and cost effective. I call on the Bracks’ Government to listen to The Nationals, the voice of country Victorians, and delay the further passage of the Bill through Parliament until they incorporate commonsense solutions to fix the problems with the Bill’s current form.

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989