Qld pedophile register to launch with names, photos by December

Queensland parents will soon be able to identify convicted pedophiles in their neighbourhood, under landmark laws. WHAT YOU CAN AND CAN’T DO

The sex offenders register is being established in memory of murder victim Daniel Morcombe.

Queenslanders will be able to access the name, photograph and year of birth of pedophiles on a public sex offender register by December.

The state government will on Thursday pass new laws, dubbed Daniel’s Law after murdered schoolboy Daniel Morcombe, which will allow the public to apply to view images of child sex offenders living in their community.

The Courier-Mail can reveal how the register’s three-tiered system is expected to arm parents with information about local sexual predators in an move to keep children safe.

Premier David Crisafulli said no system would ever be perfect, but Daniel’s Law would help parents protect children.

“Families previously had no idea if convicted predators were living on their street or even next door, but the days of monsters hiding in plain sight are now over,” he said.

Police Minister Dan Purdie acknowledged the register was not designed to be fail-safe, and would not deter all predators from committing heinous crimes against children.

“It really is just about arming parents and caregivers with all the information they might need to be able to put protective strategies around their children,” he said.

Bruce and Denise Morcombe on Wednesday. Picture: John Gass/NCA NewsWire

“There will be a clear deterrent for registered child sex offenders to abide by their reporting obligations, and if they fail to abide by it, and they go AWOL, well, we’re going to publish their picture and their name.”

Close to 4000 reportable offenders were recorded on the Queensland Child Protection Register as of the end of September.

When the new system is in plane, every Queenslander will be able to access a list of convicted pedophiles who are subject to reporting conditions to police and their photos.

This Tier 1 list included offenders released from jail on supervision orders for child sex offences, offenders who have failed to comply with obligations and those whose whereabouts are unknown.

Alongside an offender’s photo and unique identifier number will be additional personal details, which could include their full name, year of birth and tattoos or other distinguishing characteristics.

Details will be determined by Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski, who will also decide which tier an offender is published under.

Premier David Crisafulli with the Morcombes and ministers on Wednesday. Picture: John Gass/NCA NewsWire

Tier 2 will see Queenslanders able to search for high-risk convicted offenders based on where they live and to view images of high-risk reportable offenders residing in their local area.

This list will include repeat offenders, those with life-long reporting obligations and offenders who are subject to a supervision order.

Mr Gollschewski can use his discretion to add an offender to this list if they pose a serious threat to the safety of a child.

The final Tier 3 will give parents and guardians the option to make an application about an individual to check if they are a reportable offender.

They will have to satisfy police that the person had unsupervised contact with a child and will be provided a yes or no answer only.

Experts have previously flagged concerns the register could increase reoffending, re-identify victims and encourage vigilante behaviour.

But Mr Purdie said he was confident safeguards would prohibit people from misusing the information.

People who use information on the register to incite violence or harass an offender face a maximum 10 years jail, while the unauthorised sharing of information carries a maximum three-year sentence.

Daniel’s Law will keep the Sunshine Coast schoolboy’s legacy alive.

“We’re encouraging people not to go next door and then take those matters in their own hands, and there’s safeguards around that,” Mr Purdie said.

“This isn’t about vengeance, it is about vigilance.”

Daniel’s parents, Bruce and Denise Morcombe, believe the register could deter potential offenders and encourage them to seek help.

“It’s surreal knowing that Daniel’s name is out there, it’s a law in his name, and hopefully it will save other children,” Ms Morcombe said.

“And we know it’s spreading, you know, Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland, but Tasmania is going down that path very, very soon … the momentum is there.

“I would be really surprised that if 12 months from now, Daniel’s Law or public accessible child sex register is not national.”

Opposition police spokesman Glenn Butcher supported the intent of the law, but raised concerns about resourcing.

“The effective implementation of a register of this type could require upward of 100 full-time-equivalent ongoing staff, costing up to $17.5m per year, depending on the mix of sworn and unsworn staff,” he said.

Mr Purdie said alongside $10m in funding for implementation, Queensland would follow the lead of WA which has up to five staff attached to the register, and would be heavily automated.

The legislation will be reviewed after five years.

DANIEL’S LAW EXPLAINED

YOU CAN:

• Use the information solely for you or your child’s personal safety and awareness
  
• Ask police for support if you’re unsure how to act on what you’ve learned
  
• Report any misuse of information disclosed to you or any other person to police
  

YOU CAN’T:

• Publish or share the information online – including on social media, community pages, or group chats
  
• Print, copy or distribute any part of the information provided
  
• Use the information to harass, threaten, or intimidate any person
  
• Use the information for employment, housing or community decisions, eg. denying someone a job or service
• Damage property or take vigilante action against a person that is disclosed to you