http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=274906A nice example of how 'grooming' children is unacceptable in Australia. Text of the news item below -
Ruddock considering US request on sailor
Tuesday Jun 26 18:40 AEST
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock says he is still considering an American request to take over jurisdiction of the case of a US sailor charged with procuring a child for sex.
David Wayne Budd, 28, was arrested by detectives from the NSW child exploitation unit as he arrived at Sydney Airport on Saturday.
The Petty Officer 2nd Class, who has been in Rockhampton as part of a joint US-Australian military training exercise, has been charged with using a carriage service to groom a child under the age of 16 for sex.
The charge follows an alleged online conversation he had with a police officer posing as a 14-year-old girl.
Mr Ruddock said he would consider a range of factors when deciding whether to accept or reject the US request, including which location would be most convenient for the accused and those required to give evidence.
"I have to examine all of the issues surrounding that request, including where is the most convenient place in which to deal with the issues of substance, to look at the context of the American law under which a person would be charged, and to see whether or not it replicates the same type of offence that would be known to our law, with corresponding penalties," he told ABC Radio.
"I haven't been advised on those matters. I think it would take some time before I am.
"It's not an issue which I look at lightly. It really is the balance of convenience that will determine the matter."
Mr Ruddock stressed he did not want to prejudge the request before being fully briefed.
"But certainly, we would not be happy in relation to a matter involving an infant, and this is a person charged with an offence of seeking to engage a person under the age of 16 years in sexual activity," he said.
