Queensland Plans to Name Child Sex Offenders in New Registry
Queensland is set to introduce a public registry for child sex offenders, aiming to enhance child safety across the state by 2025.
Queensland, Daniel Morcombe, Child Safety, Sex Offender Registry, Australia
Queensland: The state is gearing up to launch a public child sex offender registry by 2025. This move comes as Daniel Morcombe’s parents push for better child safety awareness across Australia.
The upcoming legislation will create a three-tier system. This will allow parents to check if someone their child interacts with has a history of sexual offenses.
Daniel Morcombe was tragically murdered back in 2003. The new law will be named Daniel’s Law, honoring his memory after he was abducted from a bus stop and killed by a serial offender.
Acting Premier Jarrod Bleijie mentioned that while the law is set for 2025, the exact timeline is still being worked out. They’re currently drafting the law and consulting with various stakeholders, including Daniel’s parents.
Bruce and Denise Morcombe have been advocating for a public registry for over ten years. They’ve seen success in Western Australia, where a similar registry was launched.
Mr. Morcombe believes this registry will give parents peace of mind about their children’s safety. He emphasized the importance of knowing who has contact with kids, whether it’s at school, in sports, or even a new partner.
He stated, “It just makes sense to equip Queenslanders with the right tools to keep their kids safe.”
While Mr. Morcombe knows a registry isn’t a complete solution to child abuse, he sees it as a crucial step toward long-term protection.
He added that having a registry would help keep Queenslanders safe and could inspire similar laws across Australia.
Mr. Bleijie explained that the registry will have three tiers. The first will be a public website with offenders’ photos and details. The second will allow people to request photos of offenders in their area, and the third will let parents inquire about specific individuals.
He noted that Queensland’s registry is modeled after the one in Western Australia, which started in 2012. The hope is that this initiative will set a standard for other states to follow.
Mr. Bleijie stressed the importance of getting the laws right. He wants to ensure the registry works effectively to protect children while also acknowledging the risks involved.