6 June 2018

Member’s Bill to stop child sex offenders at border

Wairarapa MP Alastair Scott has lodged a Member’s Bill to protect vulnerable children by stopping New Zealand child sex offenders from leaving the country without police approval.

“The Customs and Excise (Child Sex Offender Register Information Sharing) Amendment Bill will subject those listed on the New Zealand Child Sex Offender Registry to border alerts,” Mr Scott says.

“This means they can be stopped before they leave New Zealand and local authorities can ensure the proper process has been followed before they are able to proceed overseas.

“Where appropriate, the destination country would then be notified of the individual’s impending arrival.

“New Zealand has a duty to remove any risk of a child sex offender flouting our travel regulations.

“This Bill aims to protect vulnerable children and young people from predatory behaviour and sexual exploitation from our registered child sex offenders.

"As lawmakers we strive to produce legislation that protects the most vulnerable. To ensure effective implementation we also need to build the right safety mechanisms, like this border alert, to guarantee those laws are upheld.

“This Bill is a safeguard to guarantee the destination country will always receive important travel alert information from our authorities.”

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