Increased Child Protection Measures

Child protection measures in the Vic government’s budget costing $336m will see a children’s court in Broadmeadows, 42 new frontline officers, extra residential places; and three centres where police, child protection officers and counsellors work as a team to combat child sexual abuse. A Commission for Children and Young People will also be established (Herald Sun 1/5/12 p6). Defending marriage promotes child safety.

Coma in a Bottle

A deadly drug dubbed “coma in a bottle” (GBL) so toxic it melts plastic has hit Melbourne dance floors. GBL converts into GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) when dissolved in the body. GBL (Gamma butyrolactone, a strong chemical used in the production of floor strippers, glue removers and paint) is also a popular drink-spiking drug and care should be taken to not accept drinks from strangers or leave drinks unattended. GBL has a legitimate use as an industrial cleaner and is difficult to ban (H/Sun 5/5 p11).

Logic Cries Out

School administrators say they are regularly contacted by heavily pregnant mothers trying to enrol their unborn children into Melbourne private schools to beat decade-long waiting lists (Herald Sun 29/4/12 p30). When will our governments admit that all unborn children deserve a future and must be protected, not aborted?

Paedophiles named

The Victorian State government will reverse laws that keep paedophiles anonymous. The new law will stop short of ordering the automatic identification of offenders, but will require judges to consider the interests of victims, followed by the protection of children, families, and the general public, in allowing publication of offenders’ details (Herald Sun 21/4/12 p6).

Sex register spirals

The Victorian sex offender register is becoming less effective because the list is growing out of control, an inquiry has found. About 50 names are added each month, taking the list to a probable 10,000 names by 2020 (Herald Sun 19/4/12 p23)