Perth Royal Show organisers won’t confirm if they’ll make Working With Children checks mandatory

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Organisers of the Perth Royal Show won't confirm if they've made Working With Children checks mandatory this year, after a convicted paedophile was spotted doing demonstrations for kids at last year's event. But they say they've tightened up screening and background checks and they're complying with the law.

Transcript

00:00What began more than 100 years ago as a chance for farmers to showcase their produce

00:07is now an annual event West Australian children look forward to.

00:13But last year's festivities were marred by the presence of a convicted pedophile,

00:17spotted giving demonstrations to kids at a popular pavilion.

00:21Did you have unsupervised contact with children while you were at the Royal Show this year?

00:25No.

00:26This man was jailed in 2014 for sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy

00:31and he's since breached his reporting obligations.

00:34The mother of his victim calling for mandatory working with children's checks for all exhibitors.

00:39As a parent I would assume that an organisation such as the Royal Agricultural Society would take those steps.

00:49Organisers of the Perth Royal Show last year pledged to work with the police

00:53and the Working with Children screening unit to review current practices.

00:57But with another show almost upon us, it's unclear how much has changed.

01:01The Royal Agricultural Society only prepared to say that depending on the nature of their role at the show,

01:07individuals may be required to provide evidence of a valid working with children's check or a national police clearance.

01:13They also say registered child sex offenders will be prohibited from working at the show,

01:18but they haven't explained how that will be enforced.

01:21Child safety experts say mandatory working with children's checks would remove any doubt.

01:25Having mandatory working with children's checks is really important for any events where you're going to have not only children,

01:32but families attending, potentially children unaccompanied.

01:37The state government is also watching closely, saying they've been advised the show requires working with children's checks

01:42for those in direct contact with children.

01:45I know that the show's administration takes this very, very seriously.

01:48Organisers say their approach fully complies with WA's Working with Children laws,

01:53which can see organisations face fines of up to $60,000 for breaches.

01:57And

02:12the

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