Queensland Launches Review into Paedophile's Crimes and Child Protection System
The Queensland government has initiated an independent review to investigate how Ashley Paul Griffith, one of Australia's most prolific paedophiles, was able to offend for nearly two decades. The review will also examine the state's child protection system to identify areas for improvement.
Griffith was sentenced to life in prison last year with a non-parole period of 27 years after pleading guilty to over 300 charges of child sexual abuse committed in childcare centres in Brisbane and Italy. Despite his lengthy sentence, Griffith is appealing the decision.
The review, led by Queensland Family and Child Commission Commissioner Luke Twyford, will use Griffith's case as a study to analyze the effectiveness of current systems in responding to child sexual abuse. The review aims to provide recommendations for enhancing laws and policies across various sectors, including early childhood education, police, and the blue card system.
The review is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Twyford has emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough and comprehensive investigation, ensuring the utmost integrity and producing recommendations that prioritize the safety of Queensland children.
He plans to gather information from various sources, including the Australian Federal Police, Queensland Police Service, and the Department of Education. This information will be used to create a timeline of Griffith's offenses and identify potential failings within institutions and employers.
Furthermore, the review will involve soliciting input from affected parties, particularly victims and their families. This will allow the review to understand where policies, training, legislation, and government responses were inadequate or delayed.
While Griffith's ongoing appeal adds complexity to the review, Twyford has assured that he will proceed with caution. Child protection advocate Hetty Johnston expressed her support for the review and urged the government to implement its recommendations. She emphasized the importance of openness and transparency from all involved parties to ensure a successful review.
However, Johnston expressed concerns about the timeframe, suggesting that one year might not be sufficient for a thorough investigation. She stressed the need for authorities and the childcare and education sectors to be receptive to change for the review to be truly effective.