Law hits online predators

CANBERRA: Adults who pose as teenagers online to meet minors could be jailed under new laws proposed by South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon.

The independent senator will introduce a private member's bill to federal parliament this week making it illegal for an adult to impersonate a young person online while communicating with a minor.

The bill seeks to amend the commonwealth criminal code, meaning the changes would apply across the country.

Xenophon said existing laws were "a woefully inadequate patchwork".

"We need laws that catch these sexual predators before they get anywhere near our children," he said.

Under the changes an adult who misrepresents their age to a minor will face three years' jail.

Someone who lies about their age to meet a minor could be imprisoned for five years, and an adult who does so with the intention of assaulting a minor faces up to eight years.

Xenophon said his bill would not affect adults communicating with other adults.

- AAP