Queensland Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie is appealing the sentence handed down to Daniel Morcombe's killer, Brett Peter Cowan, saying the penalty imposed was "manifestly inadequate".
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Cowan was last Friday sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 20 years.
In a statement released early Thursday morning, the state government said Mr Bleijie had instructed the Director of Public Prosecutions to appeal the sentence.
This came following discussions with Daniel's parents, Bruce and Denise Morcombe.
"The Attorney-General has advised Crown Prosecutors that he is of the view that the non-parole period that was set must be appealed because it is manifestly inadequate, is not in line with community expectations and does not set an adequate deterrent," the statement said.
Along with murder, Cowan was also convicted of indecently dealing with a child under the age of 16 and improperly interfering with a corpse. The respective three-and-a-half and two year sentences for those crimes were to be served concurrently.
Mr Bleijie is expected to make a statement in State Parliament later on Thursday.
