11 June 2014

Television interview highlights the need

to strengthen dangerous sex offender laws

Last night in WA Parliament, Peter Katsambanis highlighted the legal loophole where a declared dangerous sex offender publicly known only as TJD was able to conduct a television interview without impacting on his release conditions.

"I am appalled that this man seems to have the right to flaunt himself on television but the community does not have the right to know his real name, what he looks like or where he lives," Mr Katsambanis said. 

"This is one more example where the rights of victims and law abiding citizens seem to take a back seat to the rights of dangerous criminals.

"When this man was released into the community in March 2014, I raised legitimate concerns that he was at high risk of reoffending. As a result of my questions at the time, the Attorney General commenced a review of the Dangerous Sexual Offenders Act 2006. 

"I now hope this review is expanded to look at how we can stop offenders like TJD from giving similar interviews in the future.

"I look forward to the review, due to be completed by the end of this month, making recommendations which will strengthen our existing laws to make sure we provide better protection for our community in the future from these dangerous sex offenders," Mr Katsambanis concluded. 

A full transcript of the 2014/2015 Attorney General Legislative Council Estimates Hearing can be found here: http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/WebCMS/WebCMS.nsf/resources/file-lc-estimates-2014---attorney-general/$file/ef.ehw15.140610.trb.003.Attorney%20General.pdf