State Government Cracks Down On Child Sex Offenders

In a bid to ensure the safety of the region’s children, Queensland has drawn a line in the sand against predators, taking a landmark step with the introduction of Daniel’s Law to Parliament — the state’s first public child sex offender register.

Member for Mackay, Nigel Dalton MP, welcomed the landmark reform, saying it will put the rights of victims and families ahead of offenders by giving parents the tools they need to better protect their children.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our kids,” Mr Dalton said.

“For too long, convicted predators have been able to hide in the shadows. Daniel’s Law will shine a light on repeat offenders and give parents the information they need to make informed decisions for their families.”

The Bill sets out a three-tiered disclosure framework, closely modelled on the proven West Australian system:

Tier 1: A publicly accessible website naming offenders who have failed to meet reporting obligations and whose whereabouts are unknown. Full name, photo and year of birth will be listed.

Tier 2: An online application allowing Queensland residents to view photographs of reportable offenders living in their area.

Tier 3: An application process enabling parents and guardians to confirm if a particular person with unsupervised access to their child is a registered offender.

Reportable offences include grooming a child under 16, indecent treatment of a child, and the production or distribution of child exploitation material.

The law honours Sunshine Coast teenager Daniel Morcombe, who was tragically killed in 2003, and reflects two decades of tireless advocacy by his parents through the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.

Mr Dalton said the reform demonstrates the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to child safety, delivering change within its first 10 months in office.

“Daniel’s Law is one of the most significant child safety reforms in Queensland’s history,” he said.

“This is about transparency, accountability, and protecting children who cannot protect themselves. As a father and as the Member for Mackay, I am proud to support this law.”

Safeguards will also be built into the framework, with new offences introduced to prevent the misuse of information, ensuring the register is used strictly for child protection and not for vigilantism.

Daniel’s Law will be reviewed by a Parliamentary Committee before returning to the House, with the Government committed to making it law before the end of the year.

‍

Queensland has introduced Daniel’s Law, the state’s first public child sex offender register, in a landmark move to protect children and empower parents with vital information. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

‍