2025-12-03
Lines attributable to Shane Rattenbury, Leader of the ACT Greens:
“Today’s announcement that the Government will legislate to remove ‘good character’ references for perpetrators of child sexual abuse is welcome news for the many in our community who have campaigned tirelessly for this reform.
“The fact is, allowing child sexual abusers to use good character references to potentially reduce their sentences rewards the very manipulative strategies perpetrators use, and increases the distress for victim survivors.
“Once this legislation passes the ACT Parliament it will be clear: you cannot be both a person of good character and a convicted paedophile. It’s a complete oxymoron, an outdated idea, and it is time it was scrapped entirely. Thankfully that time has come.
“The notion of ‘good character’ has often been exploited to deceive and manipulate, acting as another tool in the grooming process. When sentencing convicted paedophiles, this insidious tactic must be recognised, and survivors must be heard.
“As Attorney-General, I was proud to commence work on this reform: hosting a roundtable with justice stakeholders and directing the Directorate to begin work on this critical change.
“I particularly want to acknowledge Harri, James and Josh from the Your Reference Ain’t Relevant campaign whose powerful and courageous personal testimony made clear the necessity of this reform. Their determined advocacy has ensured this change will happen.”