John-Paul Langbroek reveals the true pain and loss from Jack Beasley stabbing
Residents and tourists do not want youths gathering in groups late at night in Surfers Paradise for fear of another stabbing incident like Jack Beasley, State Parliament has been told. Watch the video.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Residents and tourists do not want youths gathering in groups late at night in Surfers Paradise for fear of another stabbing repeat like Jack Beasley’s death, State Parliament has been told.
Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek, in arguably his most emotional address to the House, called for police wanding powers as part of what’s now known as Jack’s Law to become permanent.
The Bulletin can reveal Jack’s Law was signed off by the Governor on Sunday, on what would have been the 21st birthday for the Gold Coast youngster. Jack was just 17 when fatally stabbed in the chest during a fight with a group of teens outside the Surfers Paradise IGA on December 13, 2019. Two teens are serving prison time over Jack’s death.
Police will roll out the metal detection program in Safe Night Precincts on Easter Saturday.
Mr Langbroek struggled to read from Ms Beasley’s victim impact statement where she wrote about seeing her son after he had been stabbed.
“Seeing Jack’s lifeless body, touching him and feeling how cold he was, feeling the stitches all over his body this is something that is imprinted in our minds and will haunt us for the rest of our lives,” she wrote.
Mr Langbroek said Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler had told a parliamentary committee the trial of metal detectors had discouraged youths from gathering in groups.
“Whilst that sounds like we do not want people to gather, I can say that after a certain hour at night – around 10.30 or 11 – the mall can turn from a place that is welcoming to families to a place with a different type of atmosphere,” Mr Langbroek said.
“The discouragement of these people gathering in groups because there are more police present is something that locals also welcome, including the tourists who frequent the mall.”
A recent council citywide survey found only 39.2 per cent felt safe at night on the Gold Coast.
Mr Langbroek in Parliament late last week thanked Bonney MP and fellow LNP member Sam O’Connor who championed the reforms after meeting with Jack’s parents, Brett and Belinda Beasley.
The graduating Pacific Pines State School student was in Surfers Paradise during holidays in December, 2019, with mates when confronted by five youths from Logan, one who had a knife,
The first Gold Coast Coast trial allowing police to use wanding powers on anyone in the precincts resulted int 242 weapons found - including knives, knuckledusters, a screwdriver and an axe.
More than 16,000 clubgoers were checked across the safe night precinct, and 3414 were charged with unlawful possession of a knife – on average nine offenders charged per day.
Mr O’Connor said it was “unacceptable” for a 17-year-old to go out with their friends into Surfers Paradise – or anywhere else – and not return safe.
“With all of my heart, I wish that we did not have to create laws in his name. Jack should have been allowed to grow up like any other Gold Coast teenager. He should have been allowed to finish his apprenticeship,” he said.
“He should have been allowed to keep playing footy for the Helensvale Hornets. He should have been allowed to fall in love and to create a family of his own – should have been allowed to turn 21.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk thanked the Beasley family for their advocacy for the laws.
“I hope they consider that this bill in Jack’s name is a fitting tribute to their son,” she said.
“Already lives have been saved in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach SNPs (Safe Night Precincts) by this trial and even more lives will be saved by the extension of this trial.”
Opposition leader David Crisafulli supports a review but wants to the law to continue.
“Jack’s Law should never end. His legacy is worth more than just two years. It is a legacy that must continue indefinitely,” he said.
The Bulletin has championed the trial, more powers for police and more officers on the beat.
Police are ready to roll out the expansion with “wanding” operations planning to start at Fortitude Valley and in Townsville as early as Easter Saturday.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler said the measures would be rolled out in all Safe Night Precincts, on public transport vehicles and at public transport hubs.”
Officers were undergoing specific training to ensure the new powers were used appropriately, he said.
“The use of a hand-held scanner does not make any contact with the person and only takes a minute or two if nothing is located,” he said.
“There is no excuse to be carrying a knife or weapon in public and unfortunately we have seen the horrific consequences of knife crime in our state.”
SEQ school bans student promposals, threatens suspension
An elite secondary school has banned students from ‘promposing’ to their dates for formal, with one student threatened with suspension.
Man charged with horror hammer attack on motorsport identity
A man has been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged attack on racing car driver Chris Pappas at his Gold Coast home, leaving him in a serious condition.