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LEGISLATION to allow for electronic tagging of repeat sex offenders is guaranteed a smooth run through Parliament after approval from Cabinet and the Opposition. Corrections Minister Tim Holding yesterday said concerns about violations of civil liberties were overridden by the unusually high rate of reoffending by sex offenders and the catastrophic effect their crimes had on their victims. As revealed in the Herald Sun yesterday, laws to monitor serious sexual offenders are to be rushed through Parliament. Notorious repeat child sex offender Brian "Mr Baldy" Jones is expected to be one of the first candidates to be assessed for what will be known as an extended supervision order. This could involve Jones having his movements restricted by being under house arrest or wearing electronic bracelets to track his movements. Jones, 58, will be paroled in early March and will complete his second sentence tor sex offences in August. Mr Holding yesterday said the laws would be based on New Zealand legislation, where prison authorities can recommend to the court where the prisoner was sentenced for the prisoner to have restrictions when they are freed. Mr Holding said a body, such as the Adult Parole Board, would then have the responsibility of imposing appropriate monitoring arrangements the prisoner should have. Civil libertarians yesterday raised concerns about the proposed laws but Mr Holding said they would only be used in extreme circumstances. Liberty Victoria spokesman Greg Connellan said forcing a prisoner to wear a bracelet tor life was "an extreme step". Opposition Leader Robert Doyle said the Bill, expected to be introduced within the first half of this year, would have the support of the Liberal Party. Crime Victims Support Association president Noel McNamara said the measures were overdue. "A Mongolian trotting duck could have seen that (the State Government) needed to do something tike this," he said. Jones became known as Mr Baldy after he abducted six boys and shaved their heads before abusing them in 1979-80. On his release from jail in the early 1990s, Jones re-offended within weeks and was jailed for a maximum of 14 years. AAP (1-2-2005) Jeremy Kelly |
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