Denis Ferguson, possibly Australia’s most infamous paedophile, is also Australia’s least-wanted neighbour.

This man, who served 14 years in gaol for kidnapping and sexually assaulting three children in 1987, is the subject of a media circus that follows a depressing cycle: he moves in, the media search until they find him, the community is whipped (or whip themselves) into a frenzy of outrage, he moves into new accomodation…

The reality is that for better or for worse he has served his time, and no matter where he lives now there will always be children nearby.

While I understand the fear of the parents who live in his neighbourhood, their fear being understandable does not neccessarily make it, or their actions,  justifiable.

As such, the way the media encourage the escalation of the neighbourhood anger is disgraceful. Each time a “resident” (although who knows how close any of these people even live to the man) puts up a sign or does another stunt you can feel the glee as the assembled media pack encourage them in the way you would a performing child.

The actions of some – certainly not all – residents, be it placing signs on his house, delivering coffins to his door or throwing alleged petrol bombs onto his lawn, go too far and should be treated with the same negative reaction by media and police that they would be treated with if they were directed at any other “free” member of society.

This escaltion is only going to end badly – already there have been reports this morning that a man was stabbed outside Mr Ferguson’s house last night – if no-one acts to try and put out this fire rather than just standing by and letting it burn or even actively adding fuel to it.

To see how out-of-hand this paedophile vigilantism can get, we need only to remember the case from 2000 in which a UK paediatrician had her home vandalised  and her windows smashed by angry locals who reportedly “confused the words ‘paediatrician’and ‘paedophile’.”

Another populist story in the Queensland media and another kneejerk reaction by Anna Bligh. This time we have had stories about the Bandido’s biker gang opening a new clubhouse in the middle of a retail street very close to the Gabba sportsground. And within two days of the story getting out Anna Bligh has announced a new crackdown on biker gangs in Queensland — supported by new laws! The Bandido’s have had a clubhouse in the general vicinity for over ten years!

The clubhouse was in a back street Bligh never complained then! I wonder if the quick kneejerk has anything to do with the new clubhouse being smack bang in the middle of her South Brisbane electorate? Funny thing is the old clubhouse was in her electorate too and it was never a problem because it was hidden from general view in a back street.

So all you need to change the Government’s mind is a story in the media and Anna will give you what you want…

In response, the ABC reports that Bligh has promised powers that include court declarations of criminal organisations and orders preventing gang members from owning weapons, fortifying properties and associating with one another. The Australian Council of Civil Liberties president Terry O’Gorman has called the proposed laws “repressive”.

Added: 25/08/09

Brumby comes in a number two with this promise to curb city violence with more police powers.