RAY HADLEY:
Stephen Jones is the Minister for Financial Services and Assistant Treasurer federally. I had discussions with the previous government about this ploy, where those charged or convicted of paedophilia, particularly those who are well‑heeled like Maurice Van Ryn, the Bega paedophile, hide their assets in superannuation, putting large lumps away. Therefore, their victims can't sue them and be compensated civilly because they've hidden the money away in superannuation, which can't be accessed. Now, the previous government had started the ball rolling. I was a bit concerned and I made those concerns known to the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, he replied very quickly, as he normally does, and said, don't worry, we've got the matter in hand. So to talk about what may happen, Stephen Jones, the Minister for Financial Services and Assistant Treasurer, has made himself available. Stephen, good morning to you.
STEPHEN JONES:
Ray, good to be with you.
HADLEY:
Now, Minister, first of all, thanks for coming back to us so quickly because it's obviously a very important matter. But I believe, and you can correct me if I'm wrong, that you're going to pick up the ball where it was perhaps left and run with it, is that right?
JONES:
One hundred per cent. We want to get this fixed. We want to ensure that the loopholes are closed. We want to ensure that these scumbags who have been convicted of paedophilia are unable to hide their assets to prevent their victims from getting compensation. There are a couple of loopholes. We're onto it. We're going to close them down to ensure that if somebody is convicted and their victim wants to seek redress through a compensation scheme, that they can't hide their assets in superannuation or anywhere else so that they avoid the full force of the law.
HADLEY:
Is it a complicated process, pardon my ignorance? Is it something that you've got to really sort of go with the Attorney‑General and to make sure you're not cutting across other areas that may impinge on people you don't intend to impinge on?
JONES:
It is, and I'm working closely with Mark Dreyfus on this. We want to ensure that if we close one loophole, we don't open another one up, and that's what we're focused on. I can confirm with you that it will require legislation and we're committed to having legislation in the Parliament in the first half of next year so that we can move on this and get it done. There'll be two limbs to it. One limb, which will deal with ensuring that they can't, if you put in additional payments into their superannuation, like hiding assets in superannuation, so that'll be the first limb. But we're also exploring whether there's anything that needs to be done in the area of bankruptcy as well, so these scumbags don't basically declare themselves bankrupt and avoid paying their victims what is owed to them through that route as well. So, like I said, looking at the whole issue and ensuring that we don't close one loophole and leave another one open.
HADLEY:
Okay, well, I've already spoken to Peter Dutton about it, and you won't have any problem with legislation, I can assure you the Opposition will vote with you very closely on this matter and make sure that these loopholes are closed and make sure these people compensate their victims in a civil matter. Retrospectivity. Is there any hope of that happening in relation, because I'm most concerned about this grub Maurice Van Ryn who's in jail for his dreadful crimes against children on the south coast of New South Wales?
JONES:
Look, as a general rule, Parliament doesn't do things retrospectively. But in certain circumstances, this may be one, I'll have to look at it closely. This may be one. In certain circumstances, justice warrants doing that. So we'll have a look at the issue that you've raised and credit to you. You've been pushing this one hard for quite some time, as have others in the community, and we're listening. We're going to respond, and we'll look at the issue that you've just raised with me. Now, it'd be a crime on a crime if people can do what they've done and get away with it.
HADLEY:
Well, you know what? You've brought great comfort to the victims, I can tell you with that retrospectivity angle, because you'd hate to think a low bastard like Van Ryn would get away despite being incarcerated and still have a stack of money when he comes out of jail sometime down the track. It just would not fair in any way, shape or form.
JONES:
We'll look at that issue. I'll have to see whether there are any obstacles to us doing that. Prospective, no obstacle. I'll just have a look at whether there are any obstacles retrospective, but if we can do it, we want to.
HADLEY:
Okay. I really appreciate your time. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and thanks for coming back to me so quickly.
JONES:
No worries to you and your listeners. All the best, Ray.
HADLEY:
That's Stephen Jones. He's on the south coast of New South Wales at the moment, Minister of Financial Services, Assistant Treasurer.