Jack’s law expanded: Police to target high-risk venues for weapons

New powers will allow police to use handheld scanners to detect unlawfully possessed knives in high-risk venues, as part of the legacy of a teenager stabbed and killed in Surfers Paradise.

High risk venues will be targeted in a new expansion of police wanding powers with state government warning it could be extended to other areas in future.

The new expansion will allow police officers the right to use hand held scanners to detect unlawfully possessed knives in specified Safe Night Precincts (SNPs) under Jack’s law, Police Minister Mark Ryan announced on Thursday.

“I have every confidence, given what’s happened to date, that it’s going to be extraordinarily effective and then also look at the opportunities for it to go further, for it to be extended,” he said.

Jack’s parents, Brett and Belinda Beasley. Picture: Dan Peled

Mr Ryan said they would continue to look into extending Jack’s Law to other venues in a review at the end of 2026.

“These are strong police powers, so obviously, at the point of review, we’ll be looking at the effectiveness.

Jack’s law was introduced after teenager Jack Beasley was stabbed and killed outside a supermarket in Surfers Paradise in 2019.

Separately, Susan’s Law was officially passed which will increase penalties for people who drive dangerously, disobey police and cause tragic outcomes.

The Bill requires a provider of an online service to remove unlawful content in light of a new offence for publishing material depicting a prescribed offence.

Mr Ryan added “posting and boasting” vision of criminal offences online via social media could lead to a fine of almost a million dollars.

Friends of murder victim Jack Beasley gather to pay their respects at the scene of the tragedy outside the Surfers Paradise IGA. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

“That is about ensuring that people do not glorify crime but also protect re traumatisation by victims who may be involved in the particular offending and may be bombarded with that material on social media,” he said.

During the announcement, the Beasley’s flanked the Police Minister with Brett Beasley saying youth crime was “out of control”.

“We’ve got to keep moving forwards and we all know that youth crime is out of control here in Queensland, and not only here in Queensland, but in the country as well”, he said.

Mr Beasley said small steps, like today’s announcement, were one step further forward in coming to a light at the end of the tunnel.

“People have asked me, ‘Brett do you know if there’s a light at the end of the tunnel?’ and I absolutely say, yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel. It just takes time to get to that light.

Police Minister Mark Ryan. Picture: Dan Peled

In a parliamentary debate, the Liberal National Party attempted to make drive by shootings a stand-alone offence.

Shadow Minister for Police and Community Safety Dan Purdie said criminals using guns would not be tolerated.

“We’ll get tough on criminals who steal firearms and make a new offence for drive-by shootings,” he said.

“Only the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future, including Making our Community Safer.”