The Queensland government has passed a new law allowing police to search people for knives in public places anywhere in the state.
The Making Jack’s Law Permanent Bill passed state parliament yesterday, expanding its scope to the whole state and making it permanent.
Using handheld scanners known as wands, police have conducted more than 116,000 scans since April 2023.
In total, 3080 people have been arrested and 1126 weapons seized, including knives and machetes.
Jack was 17 years old when he died after being stabbed in the back and chest in December 2019, when a fight broke out between his group and five other teens at Surfers Paradise.
Since his death, his parents, Brett and Belinda Beasley, have advocated for the new laws.
“Every day we live with the pain of losing Jack,” Mr Beasley said.Â
“But knowing that his legacy is helping save lives and spare other families from that pain gives us strength.Â
“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.”
“Jack’s Law is a proven deterrent, and more than 3000 arrests shows just how critical it has become in modern policing,” Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said.
“Jack Beasley’s legacy will have a profound impact on the lives of Queenslanders, ultimately making our streets a safer place to live.”Â
