It is "appalling" that more than a quarter of sex offenders convicted of federal offences do not go to jail, Farrer MP Sussan Ley says.
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The federal government wants to introduce mandatory jail sentences for some sex crimes in its jurisdiction and strengthen offences relating to child pornography material, forced marriage, failure to report child sexual abuse and failure to protect children from such abuse.
In her speech on the proposed Combating Child Sexual Exploitation Legislation Amendment Bill in Parliament this week, Ms Ley said the subject was very close and important to her heart.
"The measures in the bill are timely and necessary in responding to child sexual abuse, which is a global epidemic that is becoming more prevalent, more organised and more extreme," she said.
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"Twenty-eight per cent of child sex offenders convicted of federal offences in 2018-19 did not go to jail, an appalling figure that mandatory minimum sentences will help to address.
"The sexual abuse of children must not be tolerated in any form. The safety of our community, including its most vulnerable members, must be our first priority.
"I believe there is an expectation across our country that we send a strong message to these vile predators, that these crimes will not be tolerated."
Labor is expected to vote in favour of strengthening the federal offences, but is against mandatory sentencing and the bill will continue to be debated this month.
Ms Ley said the work of viewing child abuse material on computers could take its toll on police.
"We can't do it without them and we thank them for their efforts," she said.