INTERNET sexual predators and online child pornography will be targeted by Federal Police and a parental education campaign as part of a $30.4 million package announced yesterday by Prime Minister John Howard. With an estimated 20 per cent of children having been approached by a stranger on the Internet, Mr Howard warned Australia's increased connectivity could open "a pipeline for perversion". Announcing the measures on Father's Day in north-western Sydney, Mr Howard said the National Child Protection Initiative would be spearheaded by an Australian Federal Police strike team investigating, infiltrating and prosecuting pedophile networks and online child sex abuse. The scheme also involves an education program for parents and teachers about the dangers facing children online and strategies to help ensure their Internet use is safe. "There's no greater nightmare for a father or a mother than the prospect that their child might in one way or another be subject to some kind of abuse," Mr Howard said. Opposition Leader Mark Latham said he supported any sensible measure to protect children from pornography as "a pretty basic requirement of parenting in a good strong household". Mr Howard said a re-elected Coalition government would give the AFP an extra $28.4 million over four years to set up a national centre to investigate, infiltrate and close online pedophile networks. Mr Howard said the child protection plan includes the AFP setting up: A CHILD sex abuse disruption team aimed at smashing pedophile rings and comprising seven computer forensic specialists, seven investigators and a psychologist. A 12-PERSON rapid referral team investigating international and national child sex offender referrals and those from the national register of offenders. A CRACK targeting and infiltration squad of five intelligence staff and three undercover staff.
AAP (6-9-2004)