Brave MP steps up as Daniel’s legacy set in law
The introduction of Australia’s first public child sex offender register has triggered an emotional response from an MP who detailed heartbreaking allegations of abuse.
The brave MP used parliamentary privilege to reveal the ordeal on the day Queensland passed a law honoring Daniel Morcombe allowing parents to track down predators.
“One summer in January 2016, my then-six-year-old daughter became the victim of sexual assault,” the MP said.
“There were other people around. It was the middle of the day and he wasn’t a stranger; I didn’t know.”
The once thriving, happy and confident little girl began to become afraid and withdrawn.
The MP only learned the truth years later.
“This beautiful, mature, super smart, wonderful daughter of mine came to me in a calm and unhurried manner and described the events of that day in great detail as if it were yesterday,” the MP said.
“My daughter is not defined by it, but it has definitely had a significant impact.”
The MP made the statement under parliamentary privilege before the Daniel Act was passed, creating a national registry of child sex offenders across the country.
Parliamentary privilege provides special protections over free speech and protects members from being sued or prosecuted.
“Victims experience a struggle between facing justice and healing themselves, and the journey is individual and complex,” the MP said.
“Bruce and Denise (Morcombe) paid the ultimate price for the dark side of society and they remain my inspiration and the eternal gratitude of the whole country.”
The landmark legislation was passed on Thursday evening, more than two decades after Sunshine Coast teenager Daniel Morcombe was abducted and murdered by a sex offender.
It also took place on the eve of Daniel Day, which promotes child safety awareness across the country.
“As Daniel’s parents, we are incredibly proud,” Bruce Morcombe told state parliament.
“I am incredibly grateful to the Crisafulli government for making this happen in a relatively short period of time… this is about protecting children in the future.”
The Morcombes are now pushing for the adoption of a national register.
Daniel’s Law was designed to help people identify child sex offenders who violate court orders, find out if they live nearby, and run background checks on anyone with unsupervised access to their children.
There are also safeguards in place to prevent misuse of public records; Those who enforce illegal laws will face up to 10 years in prison.
Similar laws exist in Western Australia, but access to records is more restricted.
A proposed registry in South Australia would charge people to access it, unlike in Queensland.
Prime Minister David Crisafulli said Daniel’s Law would help parents protect their children.
“Monsters have been hiding in plain sight for too long, living next door, interacting with kids,” he said.
“This gives parents another tool to keep their children safe.”
Under Daniel’s Law, the information of child sex offenders who fail to meet their reporting obligations will be made publicly available on the registry.
People can also apply to obtain information, including images of the person, about whether there are child sex offenders living in their area.
Parents and carers can check the registry to see if another adult or person caring for their child has a history of sexual offending with the child.
“We will give parents something they have never had before: the right to know, the right to see the truth that has been hidden behind closed files and locked doors for too long,” Police Minister Dan Purdie said.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Resolution Support Service 1800 211 028
Lifeline 13 11 14
Child Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
