THE former federal police officer arrested in Australia's largest crackdown on child pornography says he was "living like a hermit" after breaking up with his girlfriend...

Michael Edward Hatch, 38, has pleaded guilty in the ACT Magistrates Court to using a carriage service to access child pornography between May last year and his arrest in March.

He said he accessed illegal images because it was "a challenge", and not because of a sexual interest in young girls.

His father Edward held back tears as he told the court his son had "withdrawn" from the family two years ago and he feared Mr Hatch would kill himself following his arrest.

Mr Hatch himself said he started viewing adult pornography after purchasing a home computer in March 2007. That led to legal "teen" porn and then child porn.

"I feel absolutely disgusted at myself and what I did," Mr Hatch said.

"It was vile. I was supposed to be protecting the community (and) the children are the most vulnerable."

Crown prosecutor Jon White said a forensic examination of Mr Hatch's computer found he'd viewed 5700 different internet addresses relating to teenage children and visited a chat room for teenagers on 1148 separate occasions.

His pattern of use indicated an "obsessional interest in child pornography" and "belied" Mr Hatch's claims he wasn't interested in young girls, Mr White said.

However, two defence psychologists said Mr Hatch wasn't a pedophile.

Marshall O'Brien said while Mr Hatch had a "strong obsession" with pornography he didn't exhibit predatory behaviour in relation to children or have sexual fantasies about them.

The sentencing hearing will continue next Thursday before Magistrate Karen Fryar.

"Commit suicide"

There has been angry reaction to alleged popularity of the child porn network in Australia.

Society  would be better off if pedophiles committed suicide before they abused children, an MP said today.

Queensland National Vaughan Johnson, who has four young granddaughters, told State Parliament that he had been sickened after 41 Queenslands, including teachers, were arrested on Thursday in one of the nation's biggest pedophile busts.

A 59-year-old teacher charged over the bust had committed suicide while a second teacher, 48, was recovering in hospital after a failed suicide attempt.

"I hope they bring these grubs to justice,'' Mr Johnson said during a debate on the Budget.

"We find out how much guts they've got ... as one of them committed suicide yesterday and another one had a big go, but he must not have had the courage to do it properly.

"If they all went and did it first up, we wouldn't have this problem. They must be guilty if they commit suicide ... maybe I am too harsh but I've got no time for that.''

Children abused

Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said today four Queensland children have been abused by members of the global child pornography network.

Mr Atkinson revealed the abuse as Queensland police made two arrests last night and raided at least 20 homes across the state as part of Operation Golf Cortex, the state's part of the global Operation Centurion.

Asked on ABC Radio how many Queensland children police had identified as having been abused, Mr Atkinson said: "I think it's four ... because of local offending.

"There hasn't been any immediate family situations in Queensland, but I understand there has been four instances where the person has in fact abused children."

Police said computers had been seized from homes in central and north Queensland overnight, with a total of 42 Queenslanders charged under the operation as of this morning.

Mr Atkinson said he expected 70 to 80 more people to be charged over the next fortnight.

AFP denies "screwing up"

Meanwhile, Australian Federal Police today denied they "screwed up" by releasing details of the investigation before it was completed.

Senior Queensland police sources say the AFP effectively tipped off nearly half the suspects and compromised the six-month investigation by telling the media about the probe.

"They're expecting accolades but they've screwed up," a police source said.

But the AFP has defended the move, denying operational activity has been compromised.

"Throughout this investigation the AFP has closely consulted and coordinated with state and territory law enforcement partners," it said.

"It is important the public hears this message and are warned of the danger."

Mr Atkinson denied he was critical of the AFP's decision yesterday to make public the operation, but he said he did not know why the AFP released the information.

"I really don't want to be critical of the federal police - that really would tarnish what was overall a worthwhile activity," Mr Atkinson said.

"I hope that the operation hasn't been compromised.

"Whenever anything becomes public now there is always that risk (of compromise) ... but we hope that won't happen."