Morcombe family backs Tasmanian push for stronger child safety laws

The parents of a Queensland teenager abducted and murdered in 2003, say proposed child protection laws being debated in Tasmania represent a vital step forward in keeping children safe.

Bruce and Denise Morcombe with member for Clark Simon Behrakis and minister for Police, Fire and Emergency management Felix Ellis gather at Cornelian Bay to highlight the importance of the Community Protection (Offender Reporting) Amendment Bill 2024, to be known as Daniel's Law. Picture: Linda Higginson

The parents of Daniel Morcombe, who was abducted and murdered in 2003, hope Tasmanian families will soon have access to essential child protection tools, as new legislation is set to be debated in parliament this week.

Bruce and Denise Morcombe, who have spent more than two decades campaigning for stronger child safety laws through the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, said the proposed legislation, known as Daniel’s Law, represents their son’s enduring legacy.

“We see Daniel’s Law as Daniel’s true legacy in protecting kids two decades after his tragic loss,” Mr Morcombe said.

“We get up each day and say to Daniel we’re going to keep kids safe right across the country,” Ms Morcombe said.

Daniel’s law would allow parents to apply for information from Tasmania Police if they suspect someone with unsupervised access to their children may be on the sex offender registry.

Bruce and Denise Morcombe with minister for Police, Fire and Emergency management Felix Ellis at Cornelian Bay to highlight the importance of the Community Protection (Offender Reporting) Amendment Bill 2024, to be known as Daniel's Law. Picture: Linda Higginson

It would also permit authorities to publicly name registered sex offenders who breach their reporting conditions or whose whereabouts are unknown.

“Tasmania, we are so pleased that you guys are on the front foot, preparing legislation that will enable ordinary Tasmanians to … have the tools at hand to check who has access to their kids,” Mr Morcombe said.

“What’s proposed in Tasmania, we believe, has the adequate checks and balances, but importantly looks after the victims.”

Mr Morcombe said it was important not to view the law as a “silver bullet,” but rather as a significant step forward in a broader strategy of education and prevention.

“It’s not the be all and end all, but it is most definitely the best system that is available to us.”

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis said the law “puts children first” while balancing responsible information sharing.

“We have had too many experiences in the past in this country of people who are on the register committing terrible crimes against children,” Minister Ellis said.

“We can’t change that trauma, but we can make a difference in the future.

“There are important safeguards built into this legislation, just as there are safeguards built into Daniel’s law around the country, it’s important that we get the balance right. But providing targeted and timely information to protect children is absolutely the priority of this legislation.”

Opposition leader Dean Winter said Labor supported the principle of the bill but said it was “likely” they would move some amendments in parliament.

“We support the principle of this bill and what the Minister is trying to achieve, but we actually want to make sure that it works,” he said.

“I hope he turns up to parliament making the changes that the crossbench and Labor have told him are required here.

“We all want the same outcome and that is to protect children. We’ve got to make sure that the bill’s right.”