A fully public register naming paedophiles, as well as showing their photograph, looks set to be introduced in Australia.

The register would hold offender details such as name, date of birth, photograph and 'general location and nature' of their crimes, according to budget papers.

The papers, which were revealed at the budget announcement led by Aussie Home Affairs minister Peter Dutton, showed that the register would be 'publicly available and hosted by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC)'.

Police in every state and territory across Australia will be responsible with providing, vetting and managing the offenders'information.

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The budget pledges AUSD$7.8 million (£4.2m over four years to cover the cost of the register.

What isn't clear from the budget papers is the types of crimes would end up landing someone on the register, for example if it only covers physical offences.

It also doesn't make clear what would happen in instances where naming the offenders would also identify the victims, such as if parents carry out crimes against their own children, the Daily Mail reports.



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The idea of child sex offender register is something Dutton has spoken out about in the past, in January this year he proposed the idea, saying it will send a 'clear message' to offenders.

Credit: ACIC

Speaking in January, Dutton said: "It will send a clear message that Australia will not tolerate individuals preying on the most vulnerable members of the community - our children.



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"The abuse and exploitation of children is a global epidemic that is becoming more prevalent, more organised and more extreme."

However, the plans face opposition from some who say a register wouldn't help to keep children safe.

Hetty Johnston, founder of child protection charity Bravehearts, said that dangerous offenders need to stay behind bars, not on a register.

She said in a statement: "If government was serious about protecting our kids and if they seriously wanted to deal with these very real dangers they would support our calls for a Royal Commission into the Family Law System and they would toughen up laws that currently release dangerous sex offenders back into our communities.

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"The bottom line is that all dangerous and repeat sex offenders should not be on a register, they should be in jail. No offender should be released until the risk they pose is of a level that can be managed in the community. A register will not keep children safe.