SYDNEY, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Victoria Police have been granted the power to collect DNA from convicted sex offenders without a warrant, it was announced Thursday.
The Victorian government announced sweeping changes to the Sex Offenders Registration Act with the intention of constructing a database of the DNA and fingerprints of all convicted sex offenders in Victoria.
Lisa Neville, Victoria's Police Minister, said the changes were to ensure that those who posed "some of the greatest risks" to society were "properly monitored at very intensive levels."
"Anyone who is convicted as a sex offender will be compelled to provide their DNA and fingerprints to police so that they're kept on record whilst they remain a sex offender in Victoria," Neville told reporters on Thursday.
"It's all about giving them (police) the powers they need to really properly and efficiently monitor sex offenders in our community."
Police will also be granted the powers to search sex offenders and their homes to ensure they were keeping up with their parole obligations.
Previously, police were forced to provide a level of evidence in order to get a court order to collect the DNA or fingerprints.
Neville said the laws would apply to any sex offender in Victoria, including those who have been convicted overseas or interstate.
Anyone convicted of torturing children will also be automatically added to the sex offenders register.
Cases involving teenagers who are on the register because of "sexting" cases or those who were in consenting relationships with a partner younger than 16 can now apply to be made exempt from the register.
Neville said the new powers put Victoria in the position of having the "most robust sex offenders scheme possible."
"These new laws make sure that no stone will be left unturned by Victoria Police, as they work to keep the community safe from sexual offenders."
