Convicted sex offenders will be banned from applying for blue cards needed to work with children and police will be able to restrict their movements if worried about their behaviour, under new Queensland laws.
Police Minister Judy Spence said children would be better protected after state parliament passed the two separate pieces of legislation Thursday night.
"We have the toughest (sex offender) regime in Australia, and it just got tougher," Ms Spence said.
The Child Protection (Offender Prohibition Order) 2007 Act strengthens the laws dealing with convicted pedophiles.
Police will be given the power to impose restrictions on the movements of any sex offenders if they are concerned about their behaviour after being released back into the community.
They also will be able to ask magistrates for an order banning offenders going within 200m of places such as parks, playgrounds, childcare centres, movie theatres, video arcades, theme parks and swimming pools.
Restrictions also could be sought on offenders entering shopping centres at times when school children could be there, such as before and after school, or joining any club where they could come into contact with children.
Other legislation passed by parliament bans a person convicted of serious crimes such as child sex and pornography offences from applying for blue cards needed to work with children.
"If a disqualified person applies for a blue card they will be committing an offence punishable by a maximum five years imprisonment," Ms Spence said.
However, opposition child safety spokeswoman Jann Stuckey said the cards should carry photographs amid fears it was too easy for sex offenders to use another person's card.
"This prospect absolutely terrifies me," she said.
Ms Spence said including photos would cost $5 million, but would not rule it out.
"At some point we may make a decision to go down this path," she said.
