Queensland has passed laws to establish its first public register of some child sexual abusers, named 'Daniel's law' in memory of murder victim Daniel Morcombe. The legislation, approved by the state parliament, allows for the public naming of certain offenders, adding momentum to a campaign by Daniel's parents, Bruce and Denise Morcombe, for a national register.
Bruce Morcombe expressed hope the law would go national, stating that if Queensland has an accessible register, offenders might flee to states without one. He urged other states to act. The Morcombes said they were proud to see Daniel's legacy protecting children. Premier David Crisafulli called it a monumental day for families, saying the tool would help prevent predators from hiding in plain sight.
The register operates in three tiers, similar to Western Australia's model. The police commissioner will post images and personal details of offenders who breach reporting requirements and are missing. Queensland residents can apply to view facial images of reportable offenders in their suburb. Parents and guardians can also check if a person with unsupervised contact with their child is a convicted offender. Three new offences prevent misuse of information and vigilantism.
Child sexual abuse prevention service Bravehearts supported the legislation but warned it could give a false sense of security, noting only 6% of convicted offenders are included in Western Australia's scheme. It cited research showing most offences are committed by people never convicted, and that similar policies have no effect on recidivism. Bravehearts recommended adopting the circles of support and accountability model, which has been shown to reduce recidivism by 88%.
