Aussie state set to launch a ‘name and shame’ sex offender register
The parents of kidnapped teenager Daniel Morcombe hope state legislation will have a “domino effect” and usher in a national public sex offender registry.
Thirteen-year-old Daniel was murdered in late 2003 after being kidnapped while waiting for a bus on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
More than two decades later, his legacy lives on as the Queensland government plans to introduce Daniel’s Law in 2025, creating a publicly accessible sex offender registry.
This would allow parents to search the photos and names of convicted child molesters.
Similar schemes have been introduced in South Australia and Western Australia.
But Daniel Morcombe’s father hopes it will soon go national, saying Queensland could be the catalyst.
“The (public sex offender registry) is not a silver bullet because if you don’t get caught, you’re not on the registry,” Bruce Morcombe said Monday.
‘But that doesn’t mean it isn’t a big step in the right direction. We believe it is important to keep Queenslanders safe.
A look at what a national registry of child abusers could look like
‘It will be important to get the whole of Australia working on Daniel’s Law with the domino effect.’
Under Queensland law, the register would consist of three levels, including a public website with names and photographs of offenders who breach reporting requirements.
The public could also submit a request to find out which risk offenders live in their area.
The third level allows parents and guardians to inquire about adults who spend time with their children unsupervised.
Bruce Morcombe said other states and territories must follow Queensland’s lead before a national register becomes a reality.
“We want a publicly accessible sex offender register in every state and territory,” he said.
“Federally, this is impossible because it relies on the states and territories to provide information.
“So we’ll just wait for all the states and territories to get on board, see the benefits of what Queensland is about to roll out and do it ourselves.”
The Daniel Morcombe Foundation was founded by his parents in 2005, teaching children of all ages about safety across Australia. Five new programs will be launched in the new year.
Bruce Morcombe believed that Daniel’s Law would complement the foundation’s good work and keep children safe.
Bruce Morcombe’s son, Daniel, was kidnapped by pedophile Brett Peter Cowan (above) in one of the most infamous child abduction cases in Australian history
He, however, warned parents and guardians to remain vigilant.
“To the everyday mothers and fathers, please don’t fall into the trap of thinking ‘that won’t happen to me,’” he said.
‘A publicly accessible register of sex offenders would be helpful in this regard. But at the end of the day, you have to take good care of your kids and make sure you’re one step ahead of the people they’re chatting with online.”
The Liberal National Government has introduced laws to introduce tougher punishments for children following its successful ‘adult crime, adult time’ election campaign.
Daniel’s Law will be part of the LNP’s next round of legal reforms.
“That was the promise the Prime Minister made to Bruce and Denise, as we honor Daniel’s memory, but also ensure that no other family will experience what Bruce and Denise had to go through,” Deputy Prime Minister Jarrod Bleijie said.
“It is through their lasting legacy… that his memory lives on.”