Daniel’s Law: A Step Forward in Protecting Queensland’s Children
In recent weeks, Queensland has taken a significant step in child protection with the introduction of Daniel’s Law, a new public child sex offender registry.
The law honours the memory of Daniel Morcombe, a much-loved 13-year-old boy from the Sunshine Coast who was abducted and murdered in 2003 while waiting for a bus. Daniel’s parents, Bruce and Denise, have since dedicated their lives to advocacy, education, and awareness. Their tireless campaigning has brought about some of the most important reforms in child safety over the past two decades.
While no family should ever endure what the Morcombes have faced, Daniel’s legacy is now shaping protections for countless other children.
What Daniel’s Law Does
The new registry introduces a three-tiered system of access:
Tier 1: A publicly available website will publish details (including names, photos, and year of birth) of offenders who have failed to meet their reporting obligations or whose whereabouts are unknown.
Tier 2: Members of the public can apply to view photographs of high-risk offenders in their area. Names and identifying information are not disclosed.
Tier 3: Parents and guardians can apply to check whether someone who has unsupervised access to their child is a registered offender.
To prevent misuse, the law also introduces strong safeguards: using registry information for harassment or vigilante behaviour can result in penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment. This balance of transparency and protection ensures the focus remains where it belongs, on safeguarding children.
Why This Matters
For many parents, this registry offers peace of mind and a sense of empowerment. It acknowledges that families have a right to access information that could help them make informed choices about their children’s safety.
But as important as this step is, it addresses risk only after an offender has been convicted. That means the harm has already been done.
How ChildSafe Registry Complements Daniel’s Law
At ChildSafe Registry, we believe prevention must start well before offenders ever reach the point of conviction. Our mission is to:
Create a national, digital platform where childcare providers, schools, and employers can access trusted information about workers.
Integrate with existing systems (like Blue Cards) to strengthen transparency and reduce the risk of unsafe individuals slipping through the cracks.
Provide a place for parents and organisations to contribute feedback, helping raise red flags earlier and creating accountability within the childcare sector.
Put simply, Daniel’s Law tells families who to avoid. ChildSafe Registry exists to stop offenders from being placed in positions of trust in the first place.
Moving Forward Together
Daniel’s Law is a tribute to a young boy whose life was cut short and to parents who turned unimaginable grief into a legacy of protection for others. It is also a reminder that child safety is not one law, one register, or one platform, it is a collective responsibility.
At ChildSafe Registry, we stand alongside families, communities, and governments in working toward a future where children are not only protected but also given the freedom to grow up safe, seen, and supported.
