Balin Stewart’s parents welcome proposed police powers to scan for knives at shops

The parents of slain Sunshine Coast teenager Balin Stewart have come out in support of extended police powers to scan for knives at shopping centres amid revelations a young girl had a knife pulled on her at Sunshine Plaza.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles with anti-knife advocates Brett and Belinda Beasley, Michael and Kerri-Lyn Stewart at Parliament House. Picture: Supplied

The parents of slain Sunshine Coast teenager Balin Stewart have come out in support of plans to give police new powers to scan for knives at shops, after hearing about a girl who had a knife pulled on her at a Sunshine Coast shopping centre.

Anti-knife advocates and Sunshine Coast parents Michael and Kerri-Lyn Stewart have expressed their support for a plan by the state government to introduce laws to extend the police use of metal detectors in safe night precincts and on public transport to shopping centres.

It comes after Mr and Mrs Stewart were invited to Parliament House last week to watch the passing of a law that restricts the sale of knives to minors.

Balin Stewart's parents Michael and Kerri-Lyn Stewart at Parliament House. Picture: Supplied

Mr Stewart, who saw his young teen son stabbed to death outside his Buddina home on January 20, 2022, welcomed the move to introduce powers for police at shopping centres.

“Shopping centres are a high-density youth gathering location, so for the police to be able to wand in those areas, that’s just common sense,” Mr Stewart said.

“It’s going to keep the community safe, it’s going to save even more lives.”

In advocating for the police powers, Mr Stewart recounted the story of a young girl who had a knife pulled on her at a major Sunshine Coast shopping complex last year.

Michael and Kerri-Lyn Stewart at Brisbane Supreme Court. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / John Gass

“I had the mother of a young girl say that her daughter had a knife pulled on her at Sunshine Plaza at the bus side near the cinemas,” he said.

“She said ‘I think you have saved my daughter’s life,’ because she had attended one of our educational sessions and followed our instructions.

“She screamed that he’s got a knife and as a consequence the perpetrator dropped the knife and ran the other way.”

Mr Stewart also revealed where he would like to see police scan for knives on the Sunshine Coast.

“Obviously the bus interchange at Maroochydore is probably one of those areas, police have focused on that area because it has been a problem area,” he said.

“As for the shopping centres, I think they should visit all of the major shopping centres randomly.

“If they concentrate on one area, then the kids will not go to that area with a knife, it needs to be random and irregular to catch these kids off guard.”

Sunshine Plaza on the Sunshine Coast.

In a statement, Sunshine Plaza centre management acknowledged that it was ‘aware’ of the knife incident that took place last year.

“The centre is aware of the offsite incident which took place at a bus stop,” the statement read.

“Sunshine Plaza have worked collaboratively with QPS for the past 20 years, to ensure Sunshine Plaza remains a safe, enjoyable space.”

Sunshine Plaza centre manager Michael Manwaring said the centre had “comprehensive security management” in place including entrance and in-centre CCTV surveillance, 24-hour security patrols every day and a regular police presence.

“We regularly review and update the centre’s safety procedures to ensure they remain in line with the latest standards and best practices.

“As always, the safety of our customers, retailers and staff is our number one priority.”

While Mr and Mrs Stewart were at Parliament House, the state government announced $6m to fund knife crime prevention education campaigns.

As part of that funding, the government will provide the foundation they founded — the Balin Stewart Foundation — with $200,000 over two years to continue its Bin the Blade for Balin campaign.

Balin Stewart.

“It will enable us to give more presentations, expand our educational program as such, and also help us raise awareness,” Mr Stewart said.

“We’re also looking at various forms of advertising on the Sunshine Coast to raise awareness for our events.

“We are encouraged that a step in the right direction has been taken and hopefully be the start of ever lasting change.

“We all have a lot of work to do, to curb this scourge on our society.”

Mr and Mrs Stewart recently marked the two-year anniversary of their son’s passing with the Walk for Balin, which was attended by Opposition Leader David Crisafulli, his deputy Kawana MP Jarrod Bleijie, Ninderry MP Dan Purdie, as well as Caloundra MP Jason Hunt on January 20.

Originally published as Balin Stewart’s parents welcome proposed police powers to scan for knives at shops