83/07 Wednesday 20 th June 2007

Online predator's be warned – you are not anonymous

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator the Hon Helen Coonan and the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator the Hon David Johnston sent a stern and unequivocal warning today to predators who believe they are anonymous online.

“In the shadow of the news this week of a successful sting on a child porn ring based in the United Kingdom and with links across the globe, including Australia, these predators need to be aware that the Australian Government has in place the legal, enforcement and technological means to make sure they are caught if they involve themselves in this most heinous of crimes,” Senator Coonan said.

“Any suggestion that the online world is exempt from community standards and our laws that protect is soundly refuted and there is no tolerance for any behaviour that risks, or puts at risk, our children,” Senator Coonan said.

“The message coming from this worldwide operation is clear, if you engage in the gross exploitation of children online, you will be caught,” Senator Johnston said.

“The Australian Government has put considerable resources into combating child sex offenders in their many forms, and this includes $30 million to the Online Child Sex Exploitation Team.

“This sting has seriously hampered the efforts of these individuals with more than 700 suspects, 63 arrests and the rescue of 22 children worldwide.”

“International crime cooperation has been strengthened by this operation, and child sex offenders should be aware, we will catch you,” he said.

“The Howard Government as a whole-of-government commitment to protecting our children and alongside tough laws and enforcement, we are also using technology as another weapon for parents and carers in protecting children online,” Senator Coonan said.

“As part of our multifaceted approach, the Howard Government introduced the Online Content Scheme in 1999 and recently introduced the Communications Legislation Amendment (Content Services) Bill 2007 to extend the safety provisions contained in the Online Content Scheme to new and emerging technologies including 3G mobile phones.

“I am reminded that Mr Rudd and the Labor Party voted against the Online Content Scheme in 1999. For the sake of Australian families, I can only that they have woken up to the fact that all sides of politics must take the issue of children protection seriously.

“As part of the Australian Government's $116m Protecting Australian Families Online initiative, the Government will shortly provide parents and carers with access to free PC based filters and practical advice to defend their families against predators who think our children are fair game on the internet.

“Protecting Australian children is a something that this Government takes very seriously and predators are put on notice that there is no higher priority for the Howard Government or our law enforcement agencies,” Senator Coonan said.

Senator Coonan's Media Contact: Fiona Telford 0439 003 191

Senator Johnston's Media Contact: Chris Wagner 0409 081 916