Coalition says a national sex offender register would be a ‘powerful deterrent’. How would it work, and why now?

Proposed 12-month trial would be based on models in WA and UK and overseen by Australian Criminal Intelligence CommissionElection 2025 live updates: Australia federal election campaignPolls tracker; election guide; full federal election coverageAnywhere but Canberra; interactive electorates guideListen to the latest episode of our new narrative podcast series: GinaGet our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcastThe Coalition says it will trial a national register for child sex offenders if elected, providing the option for parents and carers to check with police about whether individuals who interact with their children have prior convictions.The 12-month pilot, which the Coalition says will cost $21.3m, is modelled on existing schemes that have functioned for more than a decade in Western Australia and the UK. Continue reading...