1329. Hon Alison Xamon to the Leader of the House representing the Attorney General:
I refer to key recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and I ask:
(a) does the Government intend to:
(i) introduce legislation to amend the persistent child sexual abuse offence as recommended by the Royal Commission;
(ii) introduce legislation to provide that good character be excluded as a mitigating factor in sentencing for child sexual abuse offences where that good character facilitated the offending; and
(iii) introduce legislation to extend its broad grooming offence to the grooming of persons other than the child;
(b) if yes to (a), please advise for each of (a)(i), (a)(ii) and (a)(iii):
(i) when these changes are expected to be introduced; and
(ii) who will be consulted in the development of this legislation; and
(c) if no for either a(i), (a)(ii) or (a)(iii), please advise why not?
Hon Sue Ellery replied:
(a) (i)–(iii) The State Government’s response on 27 June2018 to the Royal Commission’s 409 recommendations included the release of a paper setting out its position in relation to each of those recommendations. All of the recommendations mentioned have been accepted in principle. Work is now being undertaken to determine how best to give effect to those recommendations. This work includes identifying and consulting with relevant stakeholders.
(b) (i)–(ii) Changes will be introduced as soon as this work is complete.
(c) Not applicable.