Day for Daniel

The child safety legacy of Daniel Morcombe unites Australia like little else.

In Parliament today, on the eve of Day for Daniel, that unity will be on display with the Assistant Minister for Children and Families Michelle Landry, and the Morcombe family’s local Member of Parliament Ted O’Brien, calling on all MPs to join them by wearing red badges – Daniel was wearing a red T-shirt when he was abducted on 7 December 2003.

Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien said the annual day is a timely reminder that it is everyone’s duty to protect children.

“Thanks to the brave and passionate work of his parents Bruce and Denise, Daniel’s legacy stands as our nation’s ongoing commitment to keeping children safe and protecting them from predators,” Mr O’Brien said.

“That message remains as important today as the horrifying day that Daniel’s life was stolen nearly 18 years ago.  As time passes it is absolutely vital that we remain vigilant about child safety, and stay committed to the great work, awareness and education provided by the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.”

Assistant Minister Landry said that the annual Day for Daniel continues to have an important role in helping to make our communities safer for all children.  

“Day for Daniel is an occasion where we remember Daniel Morcombe, and honour his legacy by recommitting ourselves to the critical work of keeping all children safe and protected,” Assistant Minister Landry said.

“Child protection is one of the Morrison Government’s top priorities, with a range of strategies and initiatives aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect, and keeping children safe.

“By working together across both the government and community sectors, we can improve the way that we care for and protect our children.”

Set up by Daniel’s parents in 2005, The Daniel Morcombe Foundation educates and raises awareness on how young people can protect themselves and stay safe, and provides support for younger survivors of crime.

The Foundation has secured some significant achievements over the last 12 months, including the opening of Daniel House – which provides free counselling services for survivors of child crime, as well as also receiving a silver award in the Australian Institute of Criminology’s Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards.

Day for Daniel is Australia’s largest national day of action to raise community awareness of child safety, and is being held on Friday 25 October 2019.