Dance for Daniel 2026

Premier of Queensland and Minister for Veterans, the Honourable David Crisafulli MP; Minister for Police and Emergency Services, the Honourable Dan Purdie MP; Representing the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Councillor Lisa Atwood; Assistant Minister for Community Safety, Defence Industry, Veterans and North Queensland, Mrs Janelle Poole MP; Shadow Minister for Education, the Early Years and Youth Justice, the Honourable Di Farmer MP; Federal Member for Fisher, Mr Andrew Wallace MP; Queensland Police Commissioner, Mr Brett Pointing APM; Founders of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, Mr Bruce Morcombe OAM and Ms Denise Morcombe OAM; Morcombe Family members, Mr Dean Morcombe, Ms Alice Morcombe, Mr Bradley Morcombe; Daniel Morcombe Foundation General Manager, Mr Hans de Kon; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here tonight.

Graeme and I are both delighted to be with you this evening, and to see City Hall lit so beautifully in radiant red, to honour young Daniel Morcombe—whose story has left a lasting imprint on all of our hearts.

This is the 21^st “Dance for Daniel”, and the fifth I have been privileged to attend as Governor of Queensland. Yet, each year, as we move further away from the horrific events that took Daniel’s life, the resolve shown by the Daniel Morcombe Foundation to create a safer future for our children, only becomes stronger.

The leadership and vision demonstrated by Daniel’s parents, Bruce and Denise, through the Foundation’s advocacy, programs and initiatives have had a profound effect on the way we approach the issue of child safety.

Late last year, as one of my Constitutional duties, I gave Royal Assent to “Daniel’s Law”—a first for our state—which aims to help all Queenslanders play a part in protecting children in their communities, and which came about due to the Morcombes’ unwavering determination to see grassroots change.

The “Keeping Kids Safe” and “Bright Futures” education and training programs developed by the Foundation provide essential tools and resources for people of all ages, with the newly launched “Adolescent Hub” designed to explain the very real threat of online image-based abuse, and the more insidious capabilities of AI.

And the Foundation offers its insightful understanding and support to families experiencing trauma and grief, and to young victims of crime.

Last year, Bruce referred to the Foundation’s supporters as the "Daniel Morcombe Family", and as members of that family, we can all help the Morcombes continue their life-saving and transformational work.

By being here this evening, you are ensuring that Daniel’s legacy continues to positively impact our future. By supporting the work of the Foundation, you are helping to make sure other families do not experience the unimaginable.

By showing leadership within your communities, you are helping to reinforce messages around child safety—building greater unity to promote lasting improvements—and I take this moment to congratulate this year’s Morky Award recipients for your outstanding contributions to this goal.

I thank each of you for your compassion and generosity.

And I commend Bruce, Denise and their family, the Foundation’s Board, Patron Katarina Carroll APM, Ambassadors, dedicated team and loyal volunteers for devoting your passion and energy to protecting children around our country.

Just as the stunning red “Daniel Morcombe Rose” in the gardens of Government House brings delight to visitors when it blooms–and it is blooming beautifully right now–so too, does Daniel’s beaming smile remind us that life is precious, and that our future is built on the wonder and hope that children bring to our world.

Thank you and enjoy this special evening.