28 May 2025

Guy Barnett, Attorney-General

The Tasmanian Government has tabled the Dangerous Criminals and High Risk Offenders Amendment Bill 2025 (the Bill).

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Guy Barnett, said the proposed amendments delivers on the Government’s commitment to throw the book at those who commit the most abhorrent of crimes.

“The Tasmanian Government takes our responsibility to protect our most vulnerable seriously,” the Attorney-General said.

“These amendments will ensure that child sexual offenders can be assessed for the risk that they pose to the community and the need for monitoring through a High Risk Offender (HRO) order.

“I would like to thank all stakeholders who took the time to make a submission and provide their valuable feedback.

“Through our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future we’re continuing to ensure our justice system protects and serves our most vulnerable.”

The Bill makes the following amendments to the Dangerous Criminals and High Risk Offenders Act 2021 in relation to the making and operation of HRO orders:

  • Provide that, when making an HRO order, the Supreme Court may order that the offender is detained for a period of up to seven days beyond the day on which the offender would cease to be in custody, if the Court is satisfied that such a period of time is required to make arrangements to give effect to the conditions imposed under the HRO order.
  • Clarify that a conviction for attempting to commit a serious offence (a crime that is listed in Schedule 1 to the Act) is considered to be a conviction for a serious offence for purposes of the Act. This means that an offender may be considered eligible for an HRO order where they have been convicted for attempting one of these crimes.
  • Expand the list of serious offences within Schedule 1 to the Act to include additional sexual offences relating to children and young people. This enables a risk assessment to be made under the Act in relation to offenders who are convicted of these crimes, and they may be considered for an HRO order application.
  • Clarify that the operational period of a HRO order is not extended when that order is suspended for a period.