Member for Fisher Mal Brough paid tribute to Daniel Morcombe and his family during his speech in Federation Chamber this morning, calling for tougher penalties for crime of this nature.
“First of all, this crime should never have been allowed to happen” Mr Brough said. He went on to describe the extent of what Brett Cowan had done to his previous victims and only served 4.5 years in jail.
“Daniel Morcombe died because the because the judiciary failed him when a man like this did what he did’ Mr Brough said “The first thing I would say is: when you hurt a child in this way, you forfeit your right to be a free man for the rest of your life”
Clearly a mother in grief, Mr Brough quoted the words of Denise Morcombe spoken to the judge before sentencing, then proceeded to honour the Morcombe family, Dean, Bradley, Bruce and Denise, for what they are doing for the rest of Australia’s children.
Mr Brough also mentioned an idea proposed to him that he feels would be a fitting tribute to Daniel. “A young family, Tim and Sam Aitken, the teenage sons of Tony and Lisa, have come up with the idea that we should be painting the overpass where Daniel was abducted red, so families have this visual reminder to always be vigilant and to pass on the message of child safety.”