Proposed Jack’s Law expansion supported by more wands for the frontline

• 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.”

Quotes attributable to Acting Deputy Commissioner Chris Stream:

“You should not be carrying a knife in a public place in Queensland.  The expansion of Jacks Law to include places like shopping centres or a sporting complex means safer spaces for all Queenslanders.

“More wands means more police keeping dangerous items out of the hands of young criminals and reducing the devastation which can result from possessing a knife, including lifelong trauma for the victims, their families, and the community.

“You can not put a price on someone’s life, and the expansion of Jack’s Law is a win not just for police, but the entire community.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers:

“As a result of recent events I discussed the prospect with the Premier of expanding the wanding trial to shopping centres, entertainment precincts, sporting venues and retail areas to enhance officer and community safety.

“I thank the Premier for listening to police and broadening the trial. 

“Frontline police developed the rollout and training for the detection wand in a very short time frame and its use has removed potentially lethal weapons from the community.

“The use of the wand by frontline police has been so effective there has not been a single complaint made when officers have intercepted somebody to undergo a scan.

“Queensland has again led the rest of the country in the use of the detection wand and it’s encouraging that other states are now considering adopting our legislation and procedures.”

Quotes attributable to Justin Power, Secretary, Shop Distributive Allied Employees Association:

“On behalf of the SDA , the union for retail employees, we would like to sincerely thank the Miles Government for working to extend the operation of Jack’s law to include shopping centres.

“Unfortunately, a recent SDA survey has shown that the level of physical abuse that retail workers are subjected to has grown from 8% of respondants to 12.5% in the last two years.

“We have heard terrifying stories from members, who have told us about how they have been threatened with knives in their places of work.

“The expansion of Jack’s Law to Shopping Centres sends a clear message that the Government does not tolerate this behaviour and will help to make our members safer in their workplaces.

“No one deserves a serve in our shopping centres, least of all our retail staff who are just doing their best to look after the public and support their families.”

ENDS