Launch of Daniel Morcombe Foundation’s Updated Keeping Kids Safe Resource Kit

Nikki Boyd MP, representing our Premier and the Child Safety Minister; all Members of Parliament; Senator; Deputy Commissioner; guests, distinguished as are you all. It is a great honour for Kaye and me to be with the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, and in particular, with Bruce and Denise Morcombe, for this important part of Sunshine Coast Child Protection Week and of Queensland Child Protection Week.

Queensland and Australia are remarkably fortunate that Bruce and Denise had the courage and moral strength to respond to their son Daniel’s murder in 2003 by reaching out to communities all over Australia.

Their determination to do everything possible to prevent more crimes against children resulted in the establishment of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, and the Foundation’s development of a series of highly focused resources and activities to support this goal.  

Among these is the wonderful, multi-faceted Keeping Kids Safe Resource Kit, which provides excellent age-relevant and user-friendly information, guidelines and advice on personal safety for students from pre-school to mid-teens, including modules designed for children with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, and children with special needs.  

Today marks the launch of two new resources for the Kit, one dealing with the critical issue – for us all – of Respectful Relationships, and the second with Cyber Safety for Parents and Carers, at a time when twenty-four-seven internet-based platforms, despite their advantages, can also be avenues for predatory behaviour aimed at children.

I thank Bruce and Denise, the other members of the Foundation’s Committee, and staff and volunteers, for their vital roles in enhancing child protection in Australia through the Foundation’s marvellous work, including these new resources.   

I thank the child protection professionals here today, and also the organisation’s many other supporters and sponsors in government and government agencies, community organisations and the private sector, for their contributions to the Foundation and to child protection more broadly.

I thank the thousands of children and adults from all over Australia who take part in the Day for Daniel every year.

As Governor, and, along with Kaye, a grandparent to young children, it is with Daniel’s memory firmly in mind and heart that I unveil, thereby officially launching, the Daniel Morcombe Foundation’s new child safety resources on Respectful Relationships and Cyber Safety to be included in the Keeping Kids Safe Resource Kit.

Thank you.