Australia's Queensland Attorney-General Kerry Shine said on Sunday that parents who abandon their children to go gambling, drinking or shopping will face up to three years in jail under new Queensland laws.
Shine told ABC radio that the law would apply to parents of children under 12 years of age and allow police to charge parents who have left their children unattended for an "unreasonable amount of time".
Under current laws, police could only issue a warning to parents who abandon their children. But a draft amendment of the Criminal Code will be considered by cabinet next week.
"What this will mean is that parents who leave children under 12 unattended for an unreasonable amount of time will be liable for three years imprisonment," Shine said.
"Most parents of course do the right thing, but some are known to leave children, for example, in hotel rooms or in car parks."
The bill follows recent media reports that Queensland children were being abandoned in car parks or hotel rooms, or left at home while their parents gamble, drink and shop.
Source: Xinhua
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