The Queensland Government has demanded an explanation from the Police Commissioner after authorities failed to prevent a convicted pedophile from working with children at a well-known family attraction in Queensland. The individual in question, Steven James Harvey, was brought to light in an investigative report by 9News two months ago.
Local residents are now expressing outrage upon discovering that Harvey continues to be employed, prompting a new police investigation into the matter.
“The footage I saw last night was shocking. As a parent and a former child abuse detective, it is extremely concerning, which is why I’ve requested the commissioner to provide an explanation,” a concerned official stated.
In response, the café associated with the attraction has been temporarily closed to the public. A notice at the entrance cites “staff unavailability” as the reason for the closure.
A call to the contact number provided on the notice reveals that the business plans to remain closed until January 24 due to “operational reasons.”
A call to the number suggested on the sign indicates the business will remain closed until January 24 “for operational reasons”.
It comes as the tight-knit Samford community calls for answers.
“I don’t understand why a man with that reputation is allowed to work around children,” one local said.
Sex offender registry first
Queensland’s sex offenders registry, which went live on New Year’s Eve, had one of it’s key features activated for the first time.
One of the registry’s main features is it lists reportable offenders who’ve breached their obligations and whose whereabouts are unknown to police, with their name, photograph and birthday made public.
That feature was utilised for the first time yesterday afternoon, when a convicted male offender allegedly breached his reporting conditions.
Police allege in the period the man was missing, he approached a 13-year-old girl at Coolangatta whom he didn’t know and assaulted her.
Officers arrested him at Tugun around 5.30pm and he appeared in court today on four charges, including indecent treatment of a child.
Since tougher Blue Card laws came into effect in September, more than 400 people have had their cards suspended, or been prevented from starting child-related work.
Those suspensions have been sparked by allegations of sexual or violent behaviour towards a child, or other criminal or concerning conduct.
