Father accused of baby daughter’s murder will stay behind bars

The father of the nine-month-old baby washed up on a Gold Coast beach has been charged with her murder.

The 48-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in Tweed Heads Local Court via video link from nearby Tweed Heads Police Station today, reports Nine News.

He was officially charged with the murder of his infant daughter, who was found dead on Monday morning.

A lawyer from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service in conjunction with the police prosecutor successfully applied for a non-publication order for the accused man's name, the victim, and other family members including the baby's mother as well as anyone else connected with the case.

The non-publication order was taken in order to protect the baby’s mother and to ensure the accused receives a fair trial, reports say.

The accused was also charged with six other offences including drink driving, driving without a licence and driving with children unrestrained. All his offenses have been adjourned to his next court date.

The court also heard that the man had a history of alcoholism, drug addiction and violence. Sunil Dutt, of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service, said his client had been in and out of foster care and endured a "very hard life".

There was no application for bail and the man will remain in custody until his next court appearance in February 25.

Police divers are continuing to search the harbour and nearby Tweed River for evidence.