Landmark weapons search laws made permanent

West Australian

a day ago

Landmark police search powers have become permanent in a crime-hit state, allowing officers to scan people for weapons in public places.
Queensland's Liberal National government passed changes to make 'Jack's Law' permanent during a late-night sitting on Wednesday, fulfilling an election promise.
"Jack's Law is a proven deterrent, and more than 3,000 arrests shows just how critical it has become in modern policing," Police Minister Dan Purdie said.
Jack's Law had been on trial until 2026 after being introduced by the former state Labor government, allowing police to randomly search people for weapons using metal-detecting wands without a warrant.
It was introduced after the fatal stabbing of NSW teenager Jack Beasley during a night out on the Gold Coast drew national attention.
NSW, Western Australia and the Northern Territory adopted similar laws after six people were fatally stabbed at a Sydney shopping centre.
Tasmania passed laws to allowing wanding in April while Victoria recently banned machetes and expanded police search powers.
Queensland's amended laws mean police can use handheld metal detectors to seize concealed weapons in "relevant places," including shopping centres, retail premises, sporting and entertainment venues, licensed venues, and rail lines.
The state opposition had proposed the laws be expanded to ban the sale of machetes unless a person has a permit, following in Victoria's footsteps, however, that was shut down by the state government.
Previously, the laws were trialled to allow police to wand in a "safe night precinct" in the Gold Coast before it was expanded to include 14 other nightlife areas and public transport stations across the state.
Police have conducted more than 116,000 weapon scans in the past two years, resulting in the arrest of over 3,000 people on approximately 5,500 charges.
The laws have resulted in 1126 deadly weapons removed from the state's streets.
"Jack Beasley's legacy will have a profound impact on the lives of Queenslanders, ultimately making our streets a safer place to live," Mr Purdie said.
Jack's parents, Brett and Belinda Beasley, have campaigned tirelessly nationwide to expand the laws to prevent what happened to their son from happening to anyone else.
"Every day we live with the pain of losing Jack," Mr Beasley said.
But the expansion and permanency of the laws has given the pair some peace.
"Knowing that his legacy is helping save lives and spare other families from that pain gives us strength," Mr Beasley said.
"Today is not just about making new laws, it's about protecting people and we're proud that Jack's legacy is about making Queensland safer."