- Miles Labor Government introduces bill to expand Jack's Law to more places, including shopping centres.
- To support the expansion, more metal detecting devices will be rolled out to the frontline under the Community Safety Plan for Queensland.
- Investment of $900,000 to deliver an additional 3,000 wands, bringing the total number of wands in operation to over 4,500.
Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan has today introduced a bill to the parliament, proposing the expansion of Jack's Law to more places in Queensland.
Jack's Law enables metal detecting wands to be used to detect knives being carried in public spaces and gives police the powers to issue penalties for unlawfully possessing a knife in a public space.
The proposed expansion will see Jack's Law used in additional locations like shopping centres, licenced premises, sporting and entertainment venues and high-risk retail outlets.
This builds on its used in safe night precincts and public transport hubs.
The proposal also extends the trial period until October 2026.
To enable this expansion, the Miles Government is investing $900,000 to ensure frontline police and police stations have access to enough metal detecting wanding devices.
An additional 3,000 wanding devices will be provided, bringing the total number to over 4,500 statewide.
'Jacks Law' was initially passed by Queensland Parliament in March of 2023 and commenced in April 2023.
This legislation was in response to the tragic death of Jack Beasley on the Gold Coast in 2019.
Since its introduction, over 540 weapons have been seized as a result of Jack's Law.
Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:
"Brett and Belinda Beasley have been true champions for reducing knife crime, and it's because of their advocacy that Queensland leads the nation with Jack's Law.
"Now, Brett and Belinda are meeting with representatives from the New South Wales and Western Australia to expand these game-changing laws around the nation.
"My government is proud to back their expansion into more locations – locations Queenslanders expect to feel safe and be safe.
"And, we're proud to give police the funding and resources needed to support their operations.
"Jack's Law has proved effective in saving lives and by giving all frontline police the tools they need to keep Queenslanders safe."
Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Treasurer Cameron Dick:
"Our Government can make these investments to strengthen the safety of our streets and our shopping centres because of the strength of our budget.
"The Community Safety Plan for Queensland is a $1.3 billion commitment to real and tangible measures that will make Queensland safer."
Quotes attributable to Police Minister Mark Ryan:
"This is a great investment in community safety.
"Ensuring frontline police officers have metal detecting wanding devices will support the expansion of Jack's Law.
"I again wish to pass on my sincere thanks to Jack Beasley's parents, Brett and Belinda.
"Brett and Belinda's advocacy for Jack's Law has saved lives and helped make Queensland a safer place."
Quotes attributable to Brett and Belinda Beasley:
"I want to thank the government for expanding the law named after our son Jack.
"We still miss Jack desperately, but initiatives like the expansion of police wanding operations to so many more venues means Jack's legacy will continue to save even more lives.
"More weapons off the streets means safer streets and more lives saved, and anything that supports those goals is very welcome."
