Twenty years on, Daniel’s legacy reshapes child safety

Nicklin MP Marty Hunt with Bruce and Denise Morcombe who said: “Every single day we’ve fought to make sure no other family goes through what we did."

Law marks new chapter in Morcombes’ fight for protection

Twenty years after the abduction and murder of Palmwoods schoolboy Daniel Morcombe shocked Queensland, the law inspired by the unfathomable tragedy has become a reality.

Daniel’s Law – establishing the state’s first public child sex offender register – passed through Parliament this week, marking one of the most significant child-protection reforms in Queensland’s history.

The new three-tiered disclosure scheme will allow parents and carers to access information about convicted child sex offenders and is expected to go live by the end of the year.

Bruce and Denise Morcombe said the passing of Daniel’s Law was a tribute to their son and the cause they’ve dedicated their lives to. 

“It has been more than 20 years since Daniel was taken from us, and every single day since, we’ve fought to make sure no other family goes through what we did,” Bruce and Denise Morcombe said. 

“Daniel’s Law is about protecting kids, empowering parents, and shining a light on those who lurk in the dark. 

“We’re incredibly proud to see Daniel’s legacy is so powerful and will keep Queensland children safe for generations to come.”

The Community Protection and Child Sex Offender Public Register will be available to Queenslanders from the end of this year. 

The Register is the next phase of the Crisafulli Government’s Making Queensland Safer laws modelled on the successful Western Australian system and includes three tiers: 

• Tier 1: A publicly available website listing reportable offenders who have failed to comply with obligations and whose whereabouts are unknown (the offenders full name, photograph and year of birth will be accessible by members of the public, but they must agree not to misuse the information).

• Tier 2: An online application for residents to view photographs of reportable offenders living in their local area.

• Tier 3: An online application for parents or guardians to confirm if a particular person with unsupervised contact with their child is a reportable offender. 

The scheme will also include three new offences to prevent the misuse of information or acts of vigilantism. 

The landmark legislation honours the legacy of Sunshine Coast schoolboy Daniel Morcombe, whose abduction and murder in 2003 inspired two decades of advocacy for stronger child protection laws. 

Premier David Crisafulli said the legislation armed parents with the information they needed to make Queensland safer. 

“This is a monumental day, not just for the Morcombe’s who have shown amazing strength in their advocacy for these laws for over a decade, but for every family in Queensland,” he said. 

“Families previously had no idea if convicted predators were living on their street or even next door, but this tool will help prevent monsters from hiding in plain sight.

“While no system will ever be perfect, these new laws will help parents protect our children, who can’t protect themselves. 

“We are putting the rights of victims ahead of the rights of offenders, and while we are seeing crime down and victim numbers down, there is much more to be done to make Queensland safer.” 

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington said the law marks a pivotal moment in the protection of children across Queensland. 

“Thanks to the unwavering advocacy of the Morcombe family, we are putting in place legislation that will help keep Queensland’s children safer now and into the future," the Attorney-General said. 

“This legislation delivers greater transparency and gives Queensland families the assurance that the Crisafulli Government is doing everything possible to make them safer.”

‘The power to know and the power to act’

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie - a former Child Protection Detective on the Sunshine Coast - said delivering Daniel’s Law legislation would be one of the proudest moments of his career. 

“Daniel’s Law will give parents something they’ve never had before: the power to know and the power to act,” Minister Purdie said.

“This is not about fear or vengeance; it’s about vigilance, protection and empowerment. 

“We owe this to Daniel, to his family, and to every Queensland child who deserves to grow up safe. “Daniel’s Law can’t erase the past, but it can help protect the future.” 

Local MP delivers on promise

Marty Hunt, Member for Nicklin said the legislation fulfilled a promise he made to the Morcombes. He said passing the legislation was a defining moment in Queensland for the safety of our children.

"After years of advocacy, tonight Daniel Morcombe’s legacy becomes law in Queensland,” Mr Hunt said.

"A year ago at the Walk for Daniel, I promised Bruce and Denise that if elected I would fight for the establishment of Daniel's Law and I'm proud to be part of delivering on that promise.

"This is about protecting our children, strengthening our communities, and doing what’s right."