Summary

Amends the: Crimes Act 1914 to: insert community safety as a factor that can be taken into account to revoke the parole of a federal offender without notice; remove the requirement to seek leave before a recorded interview of a vulnerable witness can be admitted as evidence in chief; remove the requirement for vulnerable witnesses to be available to give evidence at committal proceedings; introduce mandatory minimum penalties for certain Commonwealth child sex offences and offenders; require a court to state and record the reasons for granting bail; insert a presumption against bail for certain Commonwealth child sex offenders; insert additional factors which must be taken into account when sentencing federal offenders; require the court to have regard to certain rehabilitation considerations when sentencing Commonwealth child sex offenders; insert presumptions in favour of cumulative sentences and actual terms of imprisonment for Commonwealth child sex offenders; impose certain requirements on Commonwealth child sex offenders under a recognizance release order; add ‘residential treatment orders’ as a sentencing alternative for intellectually disabled offenders; reduce the amount of ‘clean street time’ that can be credited against the outstanding sentence following commission of an offence by a person on parole and licence; require a period of time to be served in custody if a federal offender’s parole order is revoked; and make amendments contingent on the commencement of the Combatting Child Sexual Exploitation Legislation Amendment Act 2019 and Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (2019 Measures No. 1) Act 2019; Criminal Code Act 1995 to: clarify the scope of the definition of ‘engage in sexual activity’; insert a range of new aggravated offences for child sexual abuse; insert new offences relating to ‘grooming’ and the provision of electronic services to facilitate dealings with child abuse material online; increase the maximum penalties for certain Commonwealth child sex offences and breaches of reporting requirements; insert new additional factors for mandatory consideration at sentencing; and make amendments contingent on the commencement of the Combatting Child Sexual Exploitation Legislation Amendment Act 2019.