By Clinton McGregor
Government Senator Dr. Saphire Longmore has called for the death penalty to be imposed on people convicted of killing children.
She was contributing to debate on amendments to the Child Care and Protection Act, which sought to repeal Section 24 of the Act.
According to Dr. Longmore, acts of violence against children are becoming too common.
She urged lawmakers to adhere to Article 6 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which she said "seeks to ensure that a child is entitled to their full and adequate development as best as is afforded by that system".
She argued that anyone who robs a child of that right by taking their life, must be punished to the full extent of the law.
"There is no excuse for the murder of our children. And if we are to contemplate and take this piece of legislation further in the protecting of our children, we should consider taking it to that full extent that there is absolutely no avenue for recourse for anyone who murders our children," she said.
The changes to the Child Care and Protection Act were passed in the Senate without amendment.
The repealed Section 24 referred to the treatment of children deemed "uncontrollable" by the court and who were confined to penal institutions.
With the changes, children with behavioural issues will receive treatment at a therapeutic centre.
