MEDIA RELEASE – 15 MARCH 2010

What is the NSW State Government thinking? How could Parramatta be even considered to allow multiple convicted paedophile Dennis Ferguson to reside amongst Parramatta’s young families?”

“It is not only shocking but also outrageous that Parramatta could even be considered to have Dennis Ferguson residing among us,” said Deputy Lord Mayor Clr Chiang Lim.

Being the sixth largest CBD in Australia, with many schools, child care centres, swimming pools, recreation areas, Parramatta is considered to be one of the most attractive and concentrated places for young families with children.

“Individuals like Dennis Ferguson who refused to admit their heinous crimes against children, who wears no anklet, and does not need to check in with police every week, is the kind of people we do not want living amongst or near us. As one judge puts it, Ferguson is '... a cunning and scheming man ... a danger to children and foolish parents',” said Clr Lim.

In 1987, Ferguson abducted and sexually abused three children. When caught, he offered police “kiddy porn” to get out of the highlight incriminating situation. This was not his first offence against children.  Ferguson ’s criminal history held many convictions for false pretences, various assaults on children and indecent assaults on females.

In 2003, NSW Police surveillance located Ferguson in Parramatta Public School . Ferguson was forbidden from entering schools and claimed he was distributing cleaning products for groups needing to raise funds. He was convicted under NSW's Child Protection Offenders Registration Act and was sentenced to another 15 months’ prison in John Morony Correctional Centre.

In 2005, Ferguson was charged with sexually assaulting a 5 year old girl at her home in Dalby , Queensland .

Already with a demonstrated level of repeat offences and a high propensity for recidivism, there continues to be very strong public concern over the whereabouts of Dennis Ferguson.

“Why should the people of NSW be helping this man? Why should he be given priority public housing placement when we have years long queue for people with genuine needs? And why aren’t we consulted or informed where he is,” asked Clr Lim.

Surprisingly, Ferguson was not given any conditions upon his release from prison. And the then NSW Premier Nathan Rees moved to introduce legislation to allow the NSW State Government to evict sex offenders from public housing. Dubbed the Dennis Ferguson Act, the Government said it created it as a result of rising vigilantism.

"Our singular focus should be to protect our children, not help the likes of Dennis Ferguson. Instead, Ferguson and convicted paedophiles like him should be forced to wear an ankle bracelet, report to police every week of his whereabouts, and be housed in very remote areas far away from children and young families,” said Clr Lim.

*** END ***

For any further information, please contact Clr Chiang Lim, Deputy Lord Mayor
Parramatta City Council on 0427 277 299.