Footy fans and pub goers to be scanned for knives under Qld crime plan

The news

Queensland police would have extraordinary powers expanded to scan people at sporting venues, pubs, clubs and late-night retail outlets such as fast food and service stations, under proposed laws to be introduced this week.

The expansion of arbitrary metal detection “wand” search powers form part of the Miles government’s latest effort to address community and political pressure on crime as it approaches October’s state election with still-souring polls.

“While we know there will always be some level of crime, it’s our jobs as a government to put the plans in place to respond quickly and support those victims,” Premier Steven Miles said of the 21-page document released on Tuesday.

The plan, which would also expand the search trial timeframe to 2026, came as a vocal crime victim group rallied at parliament seeking stronger sentences and rehabilitation efforts for offenders, along with support for victims.

Why it matters

Launched as a COVID-affected trial in parts of the Gold Coast in 2021 after the stabbing of 17-year-old Jack Beasley two years earlier, the now-dubbed “Jack’s Law” is now being considered in NSW and Western Australia amid focus on recent knife attacks.

The laws, passed last year, are said to have seen 51,000 people scanned during 4000 approved operations at safe-night precincts and public transport hubs, and more than 500 weapons seized.

They allow any person to be “wanded” by an officer on request, without any reasonable suspicion, at risk of being charged for obstructing police. A positive scan then triggers a more formal search.

Miles had suggested the powers could be expanded to shopping centres after the stabbing of grandmother Vyleen White in February, despite ongoing concern about the powers from civil libertarians and racism questions raised by an early review.

What they said

Beyond the proposed search expansion, other measures detailed in the “community safety plan” largely pull together announcements from recent days as Miles and newly appointed Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski toured the state.

These include a promise for new police officers and helicopters, expanded joint police-youth justice programs, and greater Childrens Court transparency.

“Having a single community safety plan is really important for government,” Miles told journalists outside parliament before MPs passed separate laws establishing a permanent and long-awaited Victims’ Commissioner role.

He declined to be drawn on several questions about the plan, saying this would come with the new laws also set to respond to calls from the disbanded bipartisan youth justice committee.

Perspectives

Voice for Victims spokesperson Trudy Reading told a crowd of about 150 who marched on parliament, and were met by Miles, the group would be “seeking clear commitment … on how they intend to swing the pendulum back in favour of the victim”.

The LNP has labelled the “11-point plan” more of the same, with shadow cabinet members directing question time queries to Miles about why Labor wasn’t removing the longstanding sentencing principle that detention is the last resort for children – the opposition’s centrepiece crime measure.

What you need to know

The youth justice committee found the detention as a last resort principle was already overridden where a child was declared a serious repeat offender, and it was “unclear” how removing or amending it would change bail or sentencing decisions.