A new law to track sex offenders and violent criminals after they are released from prison was yesterday tabled in the House of Assembly.

Potential public enemies will be able to be supervised for up to ten years after leaving jail.

And any offender who fails to comply with supervision rules could be sentenced to ten more years.

Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Paula Cox said: "Although I do not wish to anticipate what I am sure will be a lively debate on the bill, suffice at this stage to say that its principal purpose is to provide the means in the initial sentencing process by the Courts to better manage convicted sex offenders and violent offenders once they have been released from prison.'' She added: "Though clearly I cannot anticipate subsequent debate, this is important and enlightened legislation.

"It responds to community concerns, is consistent with the alternatives to incarceration initiative and fulfils a commitment of this Government as enunciated in the speech from the Throne.'' The bill -- as predicted in The Royal Gazette -- requires a convicted sex offender to notify Police of his, or her, address within three days of release from jail and update the service on changes of home.

If an offender lies about an address or fails to provide information, they can be sentenced to up to six months in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.

The bill added that "a protocol relating to the release of information concerning sex offenders to the public or an affected group of the public or an individual'' will also be established.

Courts, before sentencing people convicted of serious crimes involving violence or sex assault, will also remand prisoners in custody for up to 60 days for an assessment of the likelihood of reoffending.

But people tagged as high risk can petition the Courts to have the supervision period reduced -- if they can prove there is no "substantial risk'' of reoffending.

News of the bill was welcomed by Shadow Health and Social Services Minister Kim Young, part of a campaign for tougher laws for sex offenders, especially child sex offenders.

She said: "Sex offenders are different. They have a high risk of reoffending and because paedophiles prey on children, the Government is obligated to provide protection to the public and to treat these offenders.'' And she called for child abusers and sex offenders to be hit with "no go'' areas for living -- including near schools, nursery schools and libraries.

Ms Young added: "There should be mandatory treatment to go along with a prison term on conviction.

"There should also be mandatory psychiatric evaluation and assessment of all repeat sex offenders and paedophiles regarding their proclivities and whether their behaviour has changed towards the end of the sentence to evaluate what treatment is necessary after their release.'' And Ms Young insisted judges should have to undergo special courses in handling sex offences.

Ms Cox told the House that she had tabled the bill before the Easter break to allow time for it to be examined by MPs and members of the public and she did not rule out alterations to the terms of the proposed law.

She said: "I have taken this step because I know that the subject is a community sensitive issue and has already engendered some public debate and I wish to give interested parties the opportunity to study the bill carefully and to make any submissions which can be further considered, and, if thought fit, incorporated in the bill.''