REVEREND FRED NILE CALLS FOR TOUGHER

June 6th, 2008

Rev. Fred Nile - Media Release

The Reverend Hon Fred Nile, Leader of the Christian Democratic Party, said “I am shocked by the extent of the recent arrests in Australia and overseas for child pornography”.

In the NSW Parliament, Reverend Nile called for tougher child pornography laws and a Community Education Campaign to warn and deter would-be viewers of child pornography. 

Reverend the Hon. FRED NILE: I ask the Attorney General a question without notice. Is the Attorney General aware of the recent case where a European website featuring extreme child pornography received 12 million hits within 76 hours, including hits from 2,883 computers in Australia? Is it a fact that as a result of this case 1,513 suspected paedophiles subsequently have been identified in Australia, 13 of whom have had summons issued in New South Wales? Will the Attorney General increase the penalties for child pornography in New South Wales, as there is a clear need for higher penalties to deter surfing the Internet for child pornography? Will the Government provide a community education program to reinforce warnings about the depraved nature of this material and the associated penalties incurred by those who view it?

The Hon. JOHN HATZISTERGOS: Reverend the Hon. Fred Nile would be aware that the New South Wales Sentencing Council, headed by Mr James Wood, is currently undertaking a review into all sex offences, including the offences described by the honourable member in his question. According to advice I have received today, the Sentencing Council will provide the Government with the report before the end of the year. We will then make the report public, together with our response.

For Media Interviews contact:

Rev Fred Nile
(02) 9230 2478 or 0418 619 731

Research Assistant:
David Copeland
(02) 9230 2978