The Coalition has today introduced the Crimes Amendment (Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Child Sexual Abuse) Bill 2025, ensuring that those who abuse, exploit or prey upon children face real justice.
The Bill introduces mandatory minimum sentences of five years' imprisonment for serious Commonwealth child sexual abuse offences, increasing to six years for repeat offenders. It also closes a loophole that has allowed some offenders to walk free on recognizance release orders after serving only a fraction of their sentence.
The Leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley, said the legislation responds to growing community outrage over weak sentencing and repeated failures to protect victims.
"When an offender produces and shares 77 images of child abuse material and walks free after six months, that is not justice, it is a betrayal," Ms Ley said.
"Australians expect strong laws that protect our children, not weak excuses that protect offenders. The Coalition will always stand on the side of victims and the community."
The Shadow Attorney-General, Andrew Wallace, said the Coalition's Bill strengthens the mandatory minimum sentencing laws first introduced by the former Coalition Government in 2019 and reinforces its long-standing record of protecting Australian children.
"For too long, compassion has been shown to offenders while survivors live with trauma for life. That imbalance must end," Mr Wallace said.
"This Bill sends a clear message: child sexual abuse will not be tolerated in Australia, and those who commit these crimes will face real time behind bars."
In the 2024-25 financial year, the Australian Federal Police received 82,764 reports of online child sexual exploitation, a 41 per cent increase in just twelve months. That's an average of 226 reports every single day, each one representing a child whose life has been shattered by unimaginable harm.
The Coalition is calling on the Albanese Labor Government to support the Bill and back mandatory minimum five-year sentences for these heinous offences. In the last sitting period, Labor blocked the Coalition's attempt to introduce the Bill. It has now been reintroduced and should be supported without delay.
The reintroduction of this Bill follows Ms Ley and Mr Wallace joining Bruce and Denise Morcombe at a Roundtable with the Daniel Morcombe Foundation to discuss child safety, prevention, and the urgent need for tougher sentencing laws.
"Bruce and Denise Morcombe have shown extraordinary leadership and courage in their fight to protect Australian children, which will again be on display this Friday on Day for Daniel, to improve child safety education and awareness," Ms Ley said.
"Their tireless advocacy reminds every one of us that this is not a political issue, it is a moral duty," Mr Wallace said.
Only a Coalition Government will back our police, strengthen our laws, and restore safety and security for Australian families.
