Page 4498 - Week 12 - Thursday, 24 October 2019
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(3) What plans does the ACT Government have regarding community-wide information campaigns regarding this new offence.
(4) What additional resources have been provided to (a) ACT Policing and (b) the Community Services Directorate, to deal with the increased reports that this new law has been predicted to generate.
Mr Ramsay: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) The ACT Government has promoted information about the offence to the broad ACT community, and a wide range of relevant stakeholders. It is impossible to state the number of Canberrans who know about the new offence, including what their specific obligations are. This would require a comprehensive survey and analysis of the adult population of Canberra which is not an appropriate use of Government resources.
(2) Materials to raise awareness of the new offence were published online. The materials were disseminated broadly – including to schools, hospitals, sporting clubs, childcare centres, entertainment precincts that attract children and families, community organisations, social welfare groups, religious organisations, and many other relevant organisations. The information is also prominent on the Access Canberra website.
Every single employee of the ACT Public Service—totalling over 24,000 people—has been made aware of the changes through whole of government messages and marketing materials. The Government also worked with peak bodies of industry and community groups to ensure their members received the information. I have personally presented the reforms to the Uniting Church, and the Justice and Community Safety Directorate has delivered presentations to other organisations. In addition, the reforms were widely publicised in print media and news coverage.
Information about the reforms is available online at https://www.act.gov.au/childabuseroyalcommission. The information has been developed in an easy to read and understand format to enable all Canberrans to understand their obligations.
Prior to the introduction of these reforms the Government undertook extensive consultation on this and other reforms recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, including through the Your Say website.
(3) As described above, the Government has already engaged in an extensive community-wide information campaign. In addition to the work already undertaken, presentations will continue to be delivered to relevant organisations and community groups. The forthcoming issue of the Our Canberra which is delivered to all ACT households will also include information about the new laws, and officers of the Justice and Community Services Directorate are continuing to respond to any requests for further information or detail on the reforms from stakeholders.
The Government will continue to consider how best to inform the ACT community of the ongoing reforms arising from implementation of Royal Commission recommendations.
(4) ACT Policing and the Community Services Directorate agreed to undertake implementation within existing resources. Once the offence has been in effect for
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