The Queensland Government has demanded answers from the Police Commissioner after it emerged that officers failed to prevent a convicted sex offender from securing employment at a popular family destination in Queensland. This lapse in oversight has understandably sparked public outrage, especially as the individual in question, Steven James Harvey, was previously exposed during an investigation by 9News just two months ago.

Despite Harvey’s criminal history, locals were shocked to learn that he continued to hold a job that put him in close proximity to children. This revelation has prompted a new police inquiry into the matter. Harvey’s criminal record is significant; in 2017, he was sentenced to an eight-year prison term after admitting to fifteen sex offences, some of which were perpetrated against minors.

Alarmingly, it was reported by A Current Affair that as recently as this week, Harvey was employed at City Chicks in Samford, working mere meters away from children. The situation has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of current safeguarding measures and the systems in place to protect vulnerable members of the community.

Harvey was sentenced to eight years behind bars in 2017 after pleading guilty to fifteen sex offences, some committed against children.

And just this week he was working within metres of kids, at the City Chicks attraction in Samford, A Current Affair revealed.

Back in November, 9News revealed Harvey – whose record includes indecent treatment of a child and multiple counts of rape – was employed by the business, which has a café and a petting zoo.

He’d been dating its owner, Ingrid Dimock.

When the story broke, Dimock claimed she’d checked with Blue Card Services and was advised her staff didn’t require approvals.

“I’m just trying to salvage my business after this and ensure all families that it’s a very safe place and Steve Harvey has been removed from the premises and anything to do with the business,” Dimock told 9News in November.

The matter was referred to police to investigate back in November, when the investigation came to light.

“A breach has been identified and police are investigating it,” Premier David Crisafulli said at the time.

“I think that shows how seriously that’s been taken.”

But last night, A Current Affair revealed Harvey is back and the matter has now been referred to Queensland Police, for a second time.

“How is a person who’s been convicted of these offences now working with children? It’s beyond comprehension,” Shadow Attorney-General Meaghan Scanlon said.

Police Minister Dan Purdie said he’s “been assured” by the commissioner that it’s a “top priority”.

“The footage I saw last night was shocking and as a parent and as a former child abuse detective it’s very concerning, and that’s why I’ve asked the commissioner for a please explain,” he said.

Yesterday the cafe’s been closed to the public. A sign on the front gate telling visitors it’s due to staff unavailability.

A call to the number suggested on the sign indicates the business will remain closed until January 24 “for operational reasons”.

It comes as the tight-knit Samford community calls for answers.

“I don’t understand why a man with that reputation is allowed to work around children,” one local said.

Sex offender registry first

Queensland’s sex offenders registry, which went live on New Year’s Eve, had one of it’s key features activated for the first time.

One of the registry’s main features is it lists reportable offenders who’ve breached their obligations and whose whereabouts are unknown to police, with their name, photograph and birthday made public.

That feature was utilised for the first time yesterday afternoon, when a convicted male offender allegedly breached his reporting conditions.

Police allege in the period the man was missing, he approached a 13-year-old girl at Coolangatta whom he didn’t know and assaulted her.

Officers arrested him at Tugun around 5.30pm and he appeared in court today on four charges, including indecent treatment of a child.

Since tougher Blue Card laws came into effect in September, more than 400 people have had their cards suspended, or been prevented from starting child-related work.

Those suspensions have been sparked by allegations of sexual or violent behaviour towards a child, or other criminal or concerning conduct.