For the first time, Queensland may have a public child sex offender register. This week, the Crisafulli Government introduced legislation to Parliament to deliver on a key election commitment — Daniel’s Law.
Named in honour of Daniel Morcombe, Daniel’s Law represents the next stage of the Making Queensland Safer Laws package and is designed to give families greater protection, transparency, and peace of mind.
The legislation will establish the Queensland Community Protection and Public Child Sex Offender Register, built on a three-tiered system:
- Public Website – Photographs and personal details of reportable offenders who have failed to comply with reporting obligations and whose whereabouts are unknown.
- Locality Search Application – The ability to search for and identify certain reportable offenders living in the local area.
- Parent and Guardian Application – A process allowing parents, carers and guardians to apply to police to determine whether an adult with regular, unsupervised contact with their child is a current reportable offender.
This multi-layered approach is about empowering parents with knowledge and ensuring the rights of children come before the rights of high-risk offenders.
Daniel’s Law stands as a recognition of Daniel Morcombe, whose life was tragically taken, and the tireless two-decade-long advocacy of his parents, Bruce and Denise, through the Daniel Morcombe Foundation. Their commitment has turned personal heartbreak into a mission to better protect children across Queensland.
Safeguards will be built into the system to prevent the misuse of information, while still ensuring that parents and carers have access to the knowledge they need to protect children. The Register will be administered by the Queensland Police Service, which already monitors reportable offenders.
Daniel’s Law complements the strongest child protection framework in the nation. This includes:
- A new reportable conduct scheme for the child care sector, now set to begin in July 2026.
- A Child Safety Commission of Inquiry and the ongoing Blue Card Child Protection Review.
- National reform, spearheaded by Queensland, to establish a new register for child care workers and Blue Card holders, agreed to by State and Federal Education Ministers.
Daniel’s Law is a promise. A promise to parents that they will be armed with knowledge. A promise to children that their safety will always come first. And a promise to the Morcombe family that Daniel’s legacy will be one of greater protection for every Queensland child.
