Former priest Ridsdale faces fresh abuse charges

Former priest Gerald Ridsdale will face court today over dozens of new historical sexual abuse offences, reports AAP on SBS.

Ridsdale, 82, has been charged with more than 36 offences, which allegedly took place at various locations in the western region of Victoria between the 1960s and 1980s.

He was charged by the Victorian Police's Sano Taskforce, which was set up to investigate historical and new allegations of child sex abuse involving religious and non-government organisations.

He is due to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court via video link.