Paedophiles face longer jail terms, mandatory minimum sentences and stricter supervision after release under a proposed federal government crackdown.
Justice Minister Michael Keenan has outlined the new laws which have been approved by the Coalition partyroom.
"These reforms will ensure sentencing reflects the horrendous nature of these crimes," Minister Keenan told reporters in Parliament on Tuesday.
"The bill will also provide for a presumption of imprisonment rather than suspended sentences and a presumption against bail for the worst offenders."
Since 2012, only 58.7 per cent of convicted Commonwealth child sex offenders received a term of imprisonment. For those who did, the most common period of actual imprisonment was just six months, according to the government.
"This represents a staggering number of who are released into the community without them being monitored, posing an unacceptable risk to our children," Minister Keenan said.
"These reforms will ensure sentencing reflects the horrendous nature of these crimes": Minister Michael Keenan. Source: AAP
Internet companies that don't report abuse will also face tougher penalties.
Additionally, there will be new offences and punishments for grooming and live streaming child sexual abuse.
The government's bill will also prevent judges from using an offender's standing in the community to discount their sentence if they used that standing to commit the offence.
The government hopes to have the legislation passed by the end of the year.
