Ted O'Brien (Fairfax, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

For the sake of the House, just to explain, tomorrow is Day for Daniel in memory of Daniel Morcombe. The clock beat us today in the 90 second statements, but out of respect for the families I did want to make a statement so that's why I sought leave and am grateful for it.

It was a Sunday, early afternoon, and it was 7 December 2003. The boy was 13 years of age. He was at a bus stop on Nambour Connection Road wanting to go shopping for Christmas when he was abducted and murdered. His name was Daniel Morcombe. It's in Daniel's memory that many of us in this House today wear a red ribbon or a badge. Red is to signify the colour of the shirt that Daniel was wearing on that horrific day. It is red too that we will wear on Friday of this week when, together with Australians right across the nation, we will walk in solidarity with the Morcombe family to kickstart this year's Day for Daniel to raise awareness of child safety.

By starting the Daniel Morcombe Foundation his parents, Bruce and Denise, have turned a tragedy into a message of hope. They've worked tirelessly respecting the sanctity of life of children and helping to keep them safe from harm and abuse. On behalf of this House I say to Bruce and to Denise: we walk with you, we stand with you and we thank you.

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