Coalition says a national sex offender register would be a ‘powerful deterrent’. How would it work, and why now?

Peter Dutton says a national register for child sex offenders would enable parents to be fully informed about their child’s safety. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

The Coalition says it will trial a national register for child sex offenders if elected, providing the option for parents and carers to check with police about whether individuals who interact with their children have prior convictions.

The 12-month pilot, which the Coalition says will cost $21.3m, is modelled on existing schemes that have functioned for more than a decade in Western Australia and the UK.