Queensland dad campaigning for tough knife laws to go nationwide

Brett Beasley will meet senior members of the NSW government to campaign for “Jack’s Law” on Tuesday.

A Queensland father whose son was killed in a stabbing attack while on a night out is hopeful NSW will introduce new laws to crack down on knife crime.

Brett Beasley will meet with senior Minns government officials on Tuesday to campaign for NSW to introduce “Jack’s Law” – which gives police powers to randomly search for knives on public transport and late-night hotspots using metal detecting wands.

Mr Beasley and his wife Belinda spent years campaigning for the new powers after the death of their 17 year old son Jack in 2019.

The teenager died from a stab wound after he was attacked in Surfers Paradise while on a night out.

More than 56,000 people have been “wanded” in QLD since the laws were introduced, with more than 800 weapons seized, Mr Beasley said.

Belinda Beasley and Brett Beasley campaigned for Queensland Police to get new powers to search for illegal knifes. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE

“With all the horrendous stabbings that NSW have been having lately … every single NSW Police officer needs to have the same powers,” Mr Beasley said.

“Everyone needs to feel safe,” he said.

Jack and Brett Beasley.

Mr Beasley said NSW officials have appeared “super keen” at investigating whether the laws would work here, in the wake of a series of violent stabbings in Sydney.

Those stabbings included the horrific Bondi Junction attack, and the alleged stabbing at a Wakeley church.

Calls for new knife laws come after the alleged stabbing attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel at a Wakeley church. Picture: Supplied

“We want to take Jack’s Law Australia wide, and as far as I’m concerned I think that every single police officer in the country need to carry one of these little wands and have the same powers,” he said.

He said he has received “thousands” of messages from NSW residents supporting his campaign for Jack’s Law to be implemented here.

Attorney-General Michael Daley and Police Minister Yasmin Catley will meet with Mr Beasley, alongside senior government officials and members of Premier Chris Minns’ office.

In a statement, Mr Daley said the NSW government would “consider all options” when it came to reforming knife laws.

Attorney-General Michael Daley said the government will look “carefully” at current knife policies. Picture: NCA Newswire

“The NSW Government has indicated we need to look carefully at our current policies to ensure the public is safe and what other jurisdictions have done in this space,” he said.

“We’ll consult with experts and stakeholders to consider all options in a thorough and methodical way.”

Mr Minns had been planning to attend the Tuesday meeting but had to cancel on Monday, after his father was placed in an induced coma following a heart attack.

Chris Minns had to pull out of the meeting after his father had a heart attack and was put in an induced coma. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Under existing laws, NSW Police have powers to search someone for weapons in a public place without a warrant, but only when they suspect that person is illegally carrying a dangerous implement.

The NSW Sentencing Council is currently reviewing sentencing for firearms, knives, and other weapons offences.

From 1 April 2023 to 1 April 2024 NSW Police seized 3,855 knives from public places, with officers stinging 2,392 people for knife possession.

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Originally published as Queensland dad campaigning for tough knife laws to go nationwide