They lived for years with the agony of being left wondering after their son Daniel went missing, only to learn that his fate was truly the stuff of parental nightmares.

From initial appeals for help in finding their son through an inquest and ultimately the trial and guilty verdict for the creature convicted of the murder of 13-year-old Daniel, Mr and Mrs Morcombe have displayed only dignity and a quiet determination to seek justice for their son.

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman nailed it when he said Denise and Bruce Morcombe had created “important and lasting change in protecting our children” as he thanked many for "bringing a killer to justice".

Mr Newman told Queensland Parliament the Sunshine Coast couple was inspirational and their efforts had “moved us all”, according to the Queensland Times newspaper.

“The conviction and sentencing of the man responsible for Daniel's death brings to an end one of the most tragic events in Queensland's history,” Mr Newman was quoted as saying.

“It's something Queenslanders have been hoping to see happen for more than 10 years.

“I again want to thank everyone involved in the long and often arduous journey of getting justice for Daniel and his family – in particular police, SES, volunteers, jurors and prosecutors.

“So many people have played an important part in bringing a killer to justice.

"No one has been more important in the long struggle for justice than the Morcombe family.”

Mr Newman said the Daniel Morcombe Foundation was a wonderful legacy.

“While they finally got some justice for Daniel, they will continue to help others and better protect our children,” the Premier was quoted as saying.

“That is the type of people they are. I know I speak for many when I say their work is a wonderful legacy to Daniel and his life and a continuing inspiration for us all.”

At a time when they could be forgiven for curling into the fetal position and giving up altogether, the Morcombes instead established the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, as “a lasting legacy to Daniel and now has two main aims; to educate children on how to stay safe in a physical and online environment and to support young victims of crime”.

I am truly awe-struck that the Morcombe family has been able to look beyond their own pain and try to find something good to come from their pain.

I hope that the work of the foundation brings some kind of comfort to the Morcombes in what must at times feel like a living hell.

And I salute them for being willing to use their own tragic experience to try to save other families from enduring the same.