Ryder Should Have Been on Register

Recidivist sexual predator Barry Ryder would have been added to the central Sex Offender Register after his first offences if legislation by ACT Associate Justice Spokesman Deborah Coddington had been enacted years ago.

"We are decades too late to rescue many children from abuse at the hands of recidivist offenders," Miss Coddington said.

"But we are in time to save countless more children. My Sex Offenders Registry Bill would enable police to keep close tabs on offenders like Barry Ryder.

"My legislation has been drawn from the private members' ballot, and politicians will vote soon on whether to send it to Select Committee for examination. This is the first step toward turning my draft legislation into law.

"Drawing from overseas experience, the Bill creates a central register of convicted sex offenders. These men and women must alert the police if they change address or use a different name. This legislation strikes a careful balance - for example, it does not create a public register, but allows appropriate authorities to access the index. Repentant "ex-offenders" have nothing to fear - there is no punishment unless a predator re-offends.

"This legislation will protect children.

"We must not allow sex offenders to switch communities and names to continue their pattern of offending. I call on every Member of Parliament to support sending my Sex Offenders Registry Bill to Select Committee. A copy of my draft legislation is available at http://www.act.org.nz/sexoffender ," Miss Coddington said.

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