Goff indicates support for Act MP's sex offenders bill

Justice Minister Phil Goff today indicated Government support for ACT MP Deborah Coddington's bill setting up a sex offenders register.

Mr Goff said the Government was considering new measures to improve the monitoring of convicted child sex offenders once they were released from prison and that a register, as Ms Coddington's Sex Offenders Registry Bill proposes, is a serious option.

"However, if the names and addresses of convicted sex offenders were simply recorded, this by itself would be of limited usefulness and add little to current police intelligence," he said.

"What is needed is a system that permits high-risk child sex offenders to be supervised, supported and controlled well beyond the end of the current parole or supervision period."

Mr Goff had indicated to Ms Coddington his intended support of the bill to the select committee stage.

"That does not indicate support for the detail of what the bill says, but the idea of a private member's bill is to stimulate debate and examination of the issue," he said.

"I think she's motivated genuinely to try to help resolve a problem area and is keen to work constructively with the Government to do that and that's the path that we will be going down."

However, a stand-alone register was not the answer; rather, it would contribute to active management of sex offenders in the community.

Mr Goff's announcement of support for Ms Coddington's bill, and of Government plans to explore other post-parole management options, comes the day before a report into Child Youth and Family's dealings with child sex offender and murderer Jules Mikus is to be released.

Mikus was last year imprisoned for the murder and rape of Napier six-year-old Teresa Cormack in 1987.

It was revealed after his conviction that Mikus was sentenced for the attempted rape of a 14-year-old schoolgirl in 1983, while his son was in the house.

Despite his son's presence, Mikus was allowed to have custody of children with the knowledge of child welfare authorities right up until his arrest this year.

"The Mikus report is being announced tomorrow. Much of the area that was a problem that led to Mikus not being under restraint has already been dealt with in terms of legislation," Mr Goff said.

"There are still things that we would want to do to work effectively and the Mikus report will help inform the work that we are doing on this project."

Another step in expanding monitoring of child sex offenders would be taken next month when the Corrections Department, police, Child Youth and Family, the Social Development Ministry and the Housing Ministry launch a combined scheme.

It would involve probation officers working with representatives from other agencies to ensure the risks and needs of offenders were identified and managed to minimise re-offending. The scheme would eventually be used nationwide, Mr Goff said.

Another option being considered was giving judges the power to impose longer parole periods and civil restraining orders, whereby offenders were not allowed near certain areas, such as schools.

Officials would report back on post-parole management options in June.

Meanwhile, Ms Coddington has expressed her "delight" at Mr Goff's support for her bill.

"I applaud Mr Goff for rising above party politics and agreeing to seriously examine my bill to create a register of sex offenders," she said in a statement.

"This legislation will help prevent crime and keep communities safe."

- NZPA