Jack’s Law: Police wanding powers to be made permanent in Qld

Wanding laws resulting in police removing hundreds of knifes and other weapons from Queensland streets will be made permanent.

Premier David Crisafulli (right) with Jack Beasley’s father Brett

Wanding laws resulting in police removing hundreds of knifes and other weapons from Queensland streets will be made permanent.

The wanding trial, dubbed Jack’s Law, will become permanent as part of the government’s second tranche of its flagship Making Queensland Safer Laws delivered next year.

The laws will make permanent a trial that allows police to use handheld metal detectors without a warrant in shopping and retail centres, sporting and entertainment venues, safe night precincts, licensed premises and on public transport.

Jack Beasley was stabbed and killed while on a night out with friends on the Gold Coast in 2019.

In confirming the move, Premier David Crisafulli said making the law permanent “just makes sense”.

“Before the election my team promised Queenslanders we would make Jack’s Law permanent and that is exactly what we are going to do,” he said.

Stabbing victim Jack Beasley

“We must take a zero-tolerance approach to knife crime and making Jack’s Law permanent just makes sense.”

Jack’s Law was introduced under the former Labor government as a trial until October 2026.

Jack’s father Brett Beasley welcomed the decision to make the trial permanent.

“Jacks Law is working, it’s proven its point at the moment with the amount of arrests and knives that have been taken off our streets,” he said.

“The laws have already seen hundreds of weapons seized that could have been used to hurt or kill someone and there is no doubt making the laws permanent will save lives.”

Speaking to Channel 7’s Sunrise on Monday morning, Mr Crisafulli said the announcement was a “remarkable legacy” for Jack’s parents, Brett and Belinda Beasley.

“They’re two of the most amazing Queenslanders you will ever meet. Through their tragedy, they drove change. We fought really hard for this,” he said.

“To have Jack’s Law which gives police the ability to wand in those areas - that’s taken over 1000 weapons off the streets in Queensland alone. So, to have that become permanent, in stone, forever in legislation, that’s just such a remarkable legacy for two of the greatest Queenslanders you will ever meet.

“It has been a resounding success in Queensland, it really has. The message that they have also done in going into the schools and telling young people about the dangers of carrying a knife, the police presence, the visibility, the removal of those weapons, it’s been one of the best things that we’ve done as a state.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli joined Brett and Belinda Beasley on Jack’s Walk in Oxenford. Picture: Supplied

“I just can’t stress enough how important it is, and coupled with the Adult Crime, Adult Time laws we just passed in the Parliament the last few days.

“It’s about sending a message there are consequences for actions. You get that framework right, then you deal with the early intervention, and rehabilitation when a young person leaves jail. There is no reason for a young person to carry a weapon and go into a nightclub precinct that’s crazy.”

Asked about his thoughts on the view that “Adult Time Adult Crime” laws would encourage criminals to commit worse crimes, Mr Crisafulli said he disagreed.

“We don’t share that view,” he said.

“With respect, that’s been the same advice that the former government took for the last 10 years after they weakened the laws and crime rates increased every single year after that. I believe that sending a message works. That is shown in the figures. When an offender turns 18, the rate of offending falls because the punishment is more severe.

“You have to have consequences for your actions.”

Mr Crisafulli said the second tranche of the Making Queensland Safer Laws would also include legislation to create a public sex offender registry.

It will be dubbed Daniel’s Law in honour of Daniel Morcombe and the advocacy of his parents Bruce and Denise.

Originally published as Jack’s Law: Police wanding powers to be made permanent in Qld