New laws proposed to tackle South Australia’s growing knife-crime concerns

A crackdown on knife sales and extra police powers are among the ideas being put forward for South Australia amid growing knife-crime concerns.

Increasing the age for purchasing knives and introducing a new registration scheme are among proposed measures by the state government to reduce knife-crime amid growing concerns.

Moves to tighten knife laws come after recent incidents both in SA and interstate highlighted a knife-crime issue, according to the state government.

Last month, three youths were charged over Westfield Marion’s dramatic lockdown, with a court hearing one was in possession of a machete. The teenagers, who can’t be named for legal reasons, appeared in the Adelaide Youth Court, by video link from custody on Thursday, July 4, charged with assault, affray and aggravated robbery. The youths are next in court in August, and no pleas have been entered.

The incident followed the tragedy at Westfield Bondi Junction where 40-year-old Joe Cauchi stabbed and murdered six people and injured another 12, including a baby girl, on April 30 before he was killed by police.

New measures being considered by the government include expanding police metal detector search powers on public transport, increasing the age for purchasing knives from 16 to 18 years and introducing a licensing or registration scheme for certain categories of knife.

Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the time was right to explore tightening the state’s knife laws. Picture: Dylan Hogarth

Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the time was right to explore tightening the state’s knife laws.

“Incidents both locally and interstate highlight just why it’s so important our knife crime laws are responsible, tough, and able to help authorities keep our community safe,” he said.

“South Australia has often led the nation with addressing knife crime – including significant criminal offences for carrying knives and measures to keep them out of the hands of children – and now is an opportune time to look at how we can improve on our existing laws,”

We are also keen to explore the possibility of whether police powers should be expanded, by allowing them to conduct metal detector searches on public transport.”

He said a new discussion paper proposed several options to strengthen the laws, including preventive measures – such as restricting access to knives and a licence for people wishing to own certain types of knives.

Statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics for 2022 show 44 per cent of attempted murder victimisations involved a knife and 1,169 assault victimisations involved a knife – an increase of 32 compared with the previous year.

The status show 21 sexual assaults involved a knife in 2022, an increase of five compared with the previous year and 171 robbery victimisations involved a knife, an increase of 39 compared with the previous year.

In addition, between April 2019 and April 2024, 834 individuals were found guilty of, or pleaded guilty to, possessing a knife in a school or public place.

To read the discussion paper or make a submission, visit www.yoursay.sa.gov.au/knife-crime.

Consultation is now open and closes on August 25, 2024.