Assembly yesterday.

But many Opposition MPs felt the proposed legislation did not go far enough.

And they called for treatment programmes to be brought in as soon as possible, and improved education about sex abuse.

Some, too, demanded a clampdown on alcohol, and sexually explicit magazines, TV programmes and music.

It was feared youngsters were being sucked into a world of under-age sex, and violence.

Key planks of The Criminal Code (Sexual Offences) Amendment Bill include: Tougher prison terms for sex offenders.

Replacing rape with four categories that include sexual assault, assault by a person with a deadly disease, serious sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault.

Making it possible for husbands and wives to be charged with sexual assault of their spouses.

Creating an offence of having sex while knowing you are infected with AIDS.

Allowing child victims to give evidence by video, to save them the horror of being in court.

Recognition and definition of gang rape.

Sweeping away the need for a victim's evidence to be corroborated.

Curbing the admissibility of evidence of a victim's past sexual experiences.

MPs also applauded a companion bill, The Public Health Amendment Act 1993.

This would require doctors to tell HIV patients about the new crime of having sex while knowing you are infected.

The bills were introduced by Health and Social Services Minister the Hon.

Quinton Edness.

He said the new laws were based mainly on Canadian legislation.

A Government-inspired committee had agreed four major areas needed scrutiny following outcry over sentencing of sex criminals.

These included public education on sexual abuse and rape, improved treatment of victims and offenders, and legislation.

Mr. Edness said Government had acted on the four categories.

Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade called for laws for treatment and rehabilitation of offenders to parallel those for tougher jail terms.

"Otherwise we're going to be defeating the whole purpose. We would only be pandering to some extremists in the community who think the only answer is imprisonment.'' Shadow Education Minister Miss Jennifer Smith said many abusers had been abused themselves.

It was, therefore, important for sex attack victims to be subjected to mandatory counselling.

"That is the only way we are going to break the cycle.'' Mr. Edness, however, said he could not legally impose treatment on someone who did not want it.

And he blamed many of society's problems on increased stress, drugs and alcohol abuse, and a breakdown in family values.

He also said it was difficult to clamp down on explicit TV programmes and magazines without being accused of censorship.