Education Minister to meet Morcombes over child charges
Queensland Education Minister Kate Jones has thrown her support behind Bruce and Denise Morcombe who are reeling from news that an accused child sex offender helped launch their school safety program.
Brett Anthony O'Connor, a former Catholic brother and one-time head of child safety, was arrested in March and accused of indecently assaulting two 12-year-old boys at schools in Sydney more than 25 years ago.
As Queensland's Director of Child Safety Mr O'Connor helped launch the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety curriculum two years ago.
The curriculum was developed alongside Bruce and Denise Morcombe in honour of their murdered son and aims to teach children about personal safety and awareness.
Ms Jones said the safety curriculum will continue to roll out.
"Obviously I feel for the Morcombes having to deal with another distressing situation,” she said.
"It's very distressing when any person in a position of responsibility gets charged with such offences."
The Morcombes were first made aware of the allegations through news reports that Mr O'Connor was being charged with ten child sex offences in New South Wales.
"The Brett O'Connor in the story … is the same one we have met 20 to 30 times and worked closely with for three years," Bruce Morcombe wrote in an email.
"Denise and I were in shock at the news. It is the most serious of allegations he faces."
The allegations stem from Mr O'Connor's time as a Marist brother at two Sydney catholic schools.
The Premier and Education Minister say they will meet with the Morcombes to discuss the issue. They have also stressed that their school safety program is unaffected.
"I have absolute confidence that the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety program is a very good one,” Ms Jones said.
Brett O'Connor is currently suspended on full pay. He will return to a New South Wales court in June.
