A WA parliamentary question regarding amendments to the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Regulations 2021, specifically concerning new Commonwealth offences related to child abuse material and grooming. The response indicates no consultation was required as the amendments complement existing legislation.

AnsweredQoN 100Legislative Council
Asked
11 May 2021
Portfolio
Child Protection

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Amendment Regulations 2021 , and I ask: (a) what
was the catalyst for bringing about these amendments to the regulations; (b) who
was consulted prior to these amendment regulations being finalised; (c) did
any person consulted raise any concerns; (d) if
yes to (c), what were these concerns; (e) have
the finalised amendment regulations addressed these concerns; and (f) if
no to (e), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
15 June 2021
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Child Protection
Response time
9 days
(a) The amendments reflect the introduction of new offences into the Commonwealth’s Criminal Code Act 1995 to criminalise the possession of child-like sex dolls; the possession or control of child abuse material in the form of data held in a computer or contained in a data storage device and  a carriage service was used; “grooming” of third parties, including through the use of a carriage service, with the intention of making it easier to procure a child for sexual activity in Australia and overseas; and the provision of an electronic service with the intent of facilitating relevant offences.
(b)     No consultation was required.  These new offences respond to emerging forms of child abuse material and complement the already existing Commonwealth offences listed in Schedule 2 of the Act or prescribed in the Regulations that are preparatory, procurement and “grooming” offences and other online child abuse material offences.
(c)      Not Applicable
(d)      Not Applicable
(e)      Not Applicable
(f)      Not Applicable

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