MEDIA RELEASE 6 February 2026
Shadow Attorney-General and Federal Member for Fisher, Andrew Wallace MP, has condemned the Albanese Labor Government’s continued failure to protect children, following the charging of a Queensland man accused of committing hundreds of child sexual abuse offences involving victims across Australia and overseas.
The Queensland man has been charged with 596 child abuse-related offences after police allegedly uncovered more than 23,000 images and videos of child abuse material involving at least 459 victims across 15 countries. Police allege the offending involved the grooming, coercion and threatening of children as young as five, using social media and online gaming platforms over several years.
“This case is horrifying, but sadly it is not surprising,” Mr Wallace said.
“It is another brutal reminder that online child sexual exploitation is real, it is escalating, and this Government continues to fail our children.”
Mr Wallace said the case once again highlights why the Opposition introduced the Crimes Amendment (Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Child Sexual Abuse) Bill 2025, which Labor refused to support or properly debate.
“That Bill would have ensured the most serious child sex offenders faced mandatory prison sentences, five years minimum for a first offence and six years for repeat offenders,” Mr Wallace said.
“Instead, Albanese Government chose politics over the protection of children.”
Mr Wallace added, Labor actively blocked action when the Opposition sought to bring forward stronger laws.
“At the end of last year, Labor gagged debate in Parliament and shut down our attempts to prosecute this case for stronger penalties and real reform,” he said.
“They had a choice. Act decisively to protect kids or protect their political comfort. They chose the latter.”
Mr Wallace also criticised the Government for failing to give law enforcement modern tools to identify offenders sooner, that could include facial recognition technology.
“Police should be empowered to use cutting-edge technology, such as Ai to identify perpetrators faster and rescue victims earlier,” he said.
“Labor’s changes to privacy laws and their refusal to modernise legislation have tied the hands of police, even though these laws can be amended right now to allow lawful and targeted use.”
Mr Wallace said Labor was only dragged into recent action for online harms after sustained pressure from the Opposition.
“We dragged this Government kicking and screaming to introduce a social media ban for children under 16,” he said.
“That was one small but strong step, and it still needs work, but it only happened because the Opposition forced the issue.”
Mr Wallace finished by talking about protecting children online and holding offenders accountable required strong leadership, not delay and excuses.
“Only a Liberal Government will take the hard decisions necessary to protect our most vulnerable,” he said.
“Our kids deserve more than statements and symbolism. They deserve laws that punish offenders, empower police, and put child safety first, every single time.”
[ENDS]
Media Contact: Brendan West – 0402 556 646 – Brendan.west@aph.gov.au
