Queensland’s public sex offender register is live. Here’s what it’s like to access it
The email did not include the men’s names and each was watermarked with a code that would link the image back to the person who initiated the search.
The website warns that while parents and guardians can speak to their children about the results of the search “in a private capacity” to protect them, it is an offence to share information with family, friends and workmates.
Parents can also apply to find out whether someone having unsupervised contact with their child is a reportable offender.
‘Get on and have a look’, urges minister
The sex offender register is administered by Queensland police, who welcomed the launch on Wednesday morning.
“Daniel’s Law honours the legacy of Daniel Morcombe and recognises the tireless advocacy of Bruce and Denise Morcombe in striving for a safer future for all children,” a spokesperson said.
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“Residents are reminded Daniel’s Law is designed to protect children, not to encourage harmful behaviour.
“Information disclosed under Daniel’s Law must only be used to keep children safe. Vigilante behaviour, harassment, intimidation or public shaming will not be tolerated and may result in prosecution.”
Similar laws are in place in Western Australia, but access to that register is more tightly restricted. A register proposed for South Australia would charge people to access it, unlike in Queensland, where access is free.
Additional police staff, including detectives, would be on hand over the new year period to help process requests and inquiries.
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“We don’t really know what sort of volume it’ll be,” Police Minister Dan Purdie said on Tuesday, speaking about the potential influx of visitors to the website.
“Obviously every parent, as I am – not only a parent but also a former child abuse detective – it’s information that we believe people should be armed with, and we encourage them to get on and have a look and put protective strategies in place to protect their young people.”
The introduction of the register has not been without controversy, with concerns raised about vigilantism.
