Queensland’s public sex offender register is live. Here’s what it’s like to access it

Queensland’s first public sex offender register went live on Wednesday morning, with just over 12 hours left for the state government to keep its promise to have the database online in 2025.

Through the register, known as Daniel’s Law after slain Sunshine Coast schoolboy Daniel Morcombe, photos of dangerous child sex offenders have been made available to the public.

But most information is provided only under strict access guidelines.

If there were any dangerous convicted paedophiles – known as “non-compliant reportable offenders” – whose whereabouts were not known to police, their full name, date of birth and photograph would be shared without users having to prove their identity.

However, there were no people on this list as the website went live.

Members of the community are required to prove their identity, for example by supplying their driver’s licence details and a Queensland digital identity, to apply for access to the photographs of offenders living nearby.

Those using the database are warned it is a criminal offence to share the photographs provided, or to intimidate or harass a suspected offender, with possible penalties including imprisonment for breaching the rules.

A staff member at this masthead requested access about 11.15am. At first, the government service portal said a response could take a week. However, the result – an email containing photographs of three men “known to reside within your locality” – came within about 20 minutes.

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.

“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.

“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.

Queensland Council for Civil Liberties president Michael Cope said the new law could do more harm than good, as offenders’ names are often concealed to protect their victims.

with AAP

Anyone needing support can contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028, Lifeline 13 11 14, and Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.

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