Pushback over 'Daniel's Law' identifying sex offenders

Tasmanian legislation, dubbed "Daniel's Law" in honor of a murdered 13-year-old, has faced criticism from a parliamentary inquiry. The inquiry recommended substantial rewrites to the proposed laws, citing potential risks to children's safety. The inquiry found that an application-based public disclosure scheme, which would allow parents and carers to ask police about registered sex offenders, could lead to false feelings of security and perpetuate the myth of offenders being unknown to victims.

Furthermore, the inquiry warned that the scheme could increase social isolation, unemployment, vigilantism, and housing instability among offenders. Inquiry chair and Labor MP Ella Haddad stated that the proposed scheme would place children and young people at further risk and potentially subject victim survivors of child sexual abuse to additional trauma.

The inquiry also recommended that the bill be withdrawn and a new one drafted. The law would also introduce new reporting requirements for offenders and enable police to publish details of those who failed to comply. Sex workers with children in their care could also be added to the list if convicted of crimes related to their industry.

Tasmanian Police Minister Felix Ellis defended the bill, stating that it was necessary to protect children from harmful predators and that it had received strong support from stakeholders. The bill has been implemented in other states and is essential for Tasmanian children to have similar protections. Ellis assured that the state government would work across parliament to find the right balance.

The bill was introduced in Queensland in 2025, also featuring a public child sex offender register and reporting requirements. Daniel Morcombe, the victim of the 2003 abduction and murder, has broadly supported the introduction of the laws in Tasmania, but his parents expressed disappointment in the findings but remained hopeful for a balanced outcome.