Jack Beasley Foundation secures $1m government pledge to fight knife crime
A teenager’s tragic death in Surfers Paradise has sparked a million-dollar government investment that aims to save countless young lives across Queensland.
A tireless, six-year fight to tackle knife crime has secured a $1m state government pledge for the Jack Beasley Foundation to save young people’s lives.
The announcement was made on Sunday at the annual Walk4Jack event in Oxenford where hundreds honoured Gold Coast teen Jack Beasley, who was fatally stabbed in Surfers Paradise in 2019.
The $1m pledge will secure the foundation’s ‘One Moment’ program – which delivers knife crime education in schools across the state.
Premier David Crisafulli said the Jack Beasley Foundation – run by Jack’s parents Brett and Belinda – was changing the lives of young Queenslanders.
“We’re backing their vital work to help make Queensland safer,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“The foundation’s important work helps young people see the real consequences of knife crime to help them make safer choices.”
Mr Beasley, who along with his wife Belinda have fought ceaselessly to tackle knife crime, said he was lost for words at the announcement.
“It’s going to change us. It’s just gonna give us so much more opportunity to be able to travel far and wide across Queensland and get our education program into so many more schools –
to teach so many more kids about Jack’s Law and protecting and saving lives,” he said.
“I’m a bit lost for words to be honest.”
In July this year Jack’s Law – named after 17-year-old Jack Beasley – was made permanent across the state, giving police the power to scan anyone in public with a metal detector.
Mr Beasley he couldn’t thank the government, the police and the community enough for backing the long fight.
“I’m a bit emotional,” he said.
“We’ve been fighting so hard for six years now and how far we’ve come in six years and how much everyone has got behind us is fantastic.
“We can’t thank everybody enough, especially the government, the Queensland Police Service – they do an amazing job.
“They backed us from day dot and they believed in us and in Jack’s Law. We are so proud. We couldn’t be happier. From our local councillors our local MPs – thank you everyone who gets behind us.”
Police minister Dan Purdie said the investment backed police, community partners and education that stops violence before it happens.
“Jack’s story is a reminder of how quickly one moment can change a family forever,” Mr Purdie said.
“Our job is to make sure young people understand those risks and have the support to make safer choices.”
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Originally published as Jack Beasley Foundation secures $1m government pledge to fight knife crime
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