The Cook government will tomorrow announce its own version of “Jack’s Law”, giving WA Police sweeping powers to search people for knives in public.
WAtoday understands the laws will be modelled on Queensland legislation – introduced following the stabbing death of 19-year-old Jack Beasley on the Gold Coast in 2019 – and will allow officers to use metal detecting wands in designated areas including entertainment precincts, train stations and shopping centres.
WA Attorney-General John Quigley; Jack Beasley; and weapons seized in Queensland under the law.Credit: WAtoday
The New South Wales government announced last week it was adopting its own anti-knife legislation in the wake of the Bondi Junction massacre and a church stabbing in Western Sydney.
In April, Premier Roger Cook tasked Attorney-General John Quigley with preparing a brief for cabinet ministers on whether Jack’s Law would work in WA.
WAtoday revealed last month Quigley met with Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan and Jack Beasley’s parents.
WA’s police union has thrown its support behind the anti-knife legislation, including in shopping centres, provided the changes were supported with adequate resources.
The Queensland government recently expanded Jack’s Law to include shopping centres and pubs after more than 400 weapons were confiscated in a year.
The announcement is set to come two months after 22-year-old Perth woman Mauwa Kizenga was fatally stabbed on a Balga street.
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