Home
About MAKO
Services
Contact
Prevention
MAKO/Files
Community Notification
Report
Referral
Profile's
Facts/ Stats
Online Dangers
Child Safety
MAKO Petitions
Research/ Resources
Books
DNA Info
Safety For Women
News/ Articles
Your Comments
Australian Politicians/ Contacts
Join
Sponsors
Donations
Links
|
A CONVICTED child sex offender presently serving a four-year parole period in the United Kingdom has applied for permanent residency in South Australia. But the State Government says it may be powerless to stop him moving here despite its objections. The man, whose parole on a 10-year jail term for multiple sex offences ends on December 24, 2006, holds dual Australian/UK citizenship allowing him to apply to live in SA, where he is believed to have family. The man, who was sentenced in l997, was due to arrive in Australia sometime this week. The State Government is furious his application to move to SA was approved by UK government officials before any consultation took place between both parties. It is believed the man's offences relate to sexual assaults on underage girls. The UK Home Secretary, David Blunkett, informed the State Government of the decision last Thursday. The man was able to apply for a preferred place of residence under the International Transfer of Prisoners Act 1997. Under the Act, the State Government must give approval for the man to be allowed to live in SA. But Correctional Services Minister Terry Roberts said legal advisers told the Government that even without its approval the man could still be sent to SA because he held dual citizenship- "If we approve, I am told we can at least place him under strict supervision but at taxpayers' expense," Mr Roberts said. The state would be required to provide supervision for the man until his parole ended in 2006. Yesterday, Premier Mike Rann faxed an urgent letter of reply to Mr Blunkett's office requesting it to place an immediate hold on the man's plans to leave the UK for Australia. The Government argues the man should spend the remaining two years of his parole in Britain rather than in SA. Mr Rann wrote to Federal Justice Minister Chris Ellison condemning the application. Mr Roberts said "I am outraged that the formal application to have this prisoner transfer to our state was received at 6.30pm on Thursday last week - less than a week betore he is due to board a plane for Australia. "We don't want him here. We have given no such approval (for him to come to SA) and we do not want the UK to send him here " The Government fears the man could commit similar child sex offences if be moved to SA. "Either way we lose - and I will be furious if the system has loopholes large enough to allow this sex offender to live here without the consent of either the Australian or South Australian governments," Mr Roberts said. A spokeswoman for Mr Blunkett said the Home Office could not comment on this specific case. But she said any convicted sex offenders were thoroughly screened and risk assessed prior to being granted parole. "He would not have been released to the public if he was still considered a risk," the spokeswoman said. Because of privacy laws, the State Government was unable to release the man's name. Opposition correctional services spokesman Angus Redford supported the government's call for the man to remain in the UK until his parole expired. "I would call on Mike Rann to ring his personal friend, (British Prime Minister) Tony Blair, and ask him to put a stop to this straight away," Mr Redford said. Adelaide Advertiser (23-11-2004) Matt Williams/ Ben English |
2005. All Rights Reserved.
Legal/Disclaimer/
Privacy/
Terms Of Use.