Queensland Police Granted Powers to Scan for Weapons in Public Under 'Jack's Law'

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Queensland has permanently instituted significant police search powers enabling the scanning of public individuals for weapons.

The state’s Liberal National government officially enacted changes on Wednesday night to make ‘Jack’s Law’ permanent, fulfilling an election commitment.

This policy permits police to randomly conduct searches using hand-held metal detectors — a practice known as wanding — without requiring a warrant, and was originally slated to remain a trial until 2026.

It was established following the tragic stabbing of NSW teenager Jack Beasley on the Gold Coast in 2019, which garnered national concern.

A man wearing a checked shirt, standing next to a woman wearing an orange blouse.

Brett and Belinda Beasley said their son’s legacy would “help save lives and spare other families” from their pain. Source: AAP / Darren England

A version of the trial started in 2021, when police were given the power to scan people without a warrant at two precincts on the Gold Coast. The trial was later expanded to include several other public places.

Jack’s parents, Brett and Belinda Beasley, have campaigned tirelessly nationwide to expand the laws.

“Knowing that his legacy is helping save lives and spare other families from that pain gives us strength,” Brett Beasley said.

What do the expanded laws mean?

The new legislation removes the ‘sunset clause’ that would have meant the laws expired in October 2026, instead making them permanent.

During its trial phase, police utilized handheld metal detectors to seize hidden weapons in “relevant places,” such as shopping centers, retail areas, sports and entertainment venues, licensed venues, and railways.

The expansion of the laws was one of Queensland Premier David Crisafulli’s election promises. Source: AAP / Jono Searle

That authority has expanded under the new laws, permitting police to search for weapons in any public area.

What were the results of the trial?

Police have conducted more than 116,000 weapon scans in the past two years, resulting in the arrest of more than 3,000 people on approximately 5,500 charges.

The laws have resulted in 1,126 deadly weapons removed from the state’s streets.

“Jack’s Law serves as an effective deterrent, with over 3,000 arrests proving its crucial role in contemporary policing,” stated Queensland Police Minister Dan Purdie.

Are there any concerns about the laws?

A Griffith University review of the initial phase of the trial released in August 2022 found that while wanding had contributed to increased detection in one of the precincts, it suggested the practice only be targeted at areas where data shows a proportionately higher prevalence of knife offences.

It also said wanding had been used inconsistently across some groups in the community.

“There is some evidence of inappropriate use of stereotypes and cultural assumptions by a small number of officers in determining who to select for wanding,” it said.

Do other states and territories have similar laws?

Tasmania passed laws allowing wanding last month, while Victoria recently banned machetes and expanded police search powers.

Queensland’s 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.