Derwent Labor MLC Craig Farrell has been forced to apologise for comments he made in the Legislative Council on Wednesday, where he seemed to compare child sex offenders to people who drive under the influence of alcohol.
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During the second reading of the government’s bill to introduce mandatory minimum sentences for child sex offenders – which was voted down - Mr Farrell responded to independent Huon MLC Robert Armstrong’s speech on the legislation.
Mr Armstrong, who supported the bill, had said that the the prospect of losing one’s licence deterred one from drink driving.
But Mr Farrell took the analogy further, using it to make the opposite point to Mr Armstrong’s.
“I know if I go to the pub, I can have one or two and that works well for me,” he said.
“But for somebody who has an alcohol problem and cannot control [it], it is very similar to a lot of people who commit sexual crimes against children.
“While some [who] do it know it is wrong and it might be a one-off instance, there [are] people who have a sickness and are repeat offenders.”
Police Minister Rene Hidding condemned Mr Farrell’s remarks.
“The comments in Parliament this week by Labor's Craig Farrell are a sick comparison and demonstrate that Labor just don't get it when it comes to serious sexual offences against children,” he said.
“If this is the best argument Labor can muster for blocking this legislation, it's no wonder Tasmanians think that Labor is seriously out of touch and consistently soft on crime.”
On Friday, Mr Farrell apologised for his comments.
“I unequivocally and unreservedly apologise to victims of child sexual abuse and their advocates,” he said.
“My comparison of drink driving and child sex abuse was simplistic, inappropriate and insensitive.
“As a father and a grandfather I condemn child abuse in the strongest possible terms.”