Passing of Jack's Law
Jack’s Law passed in Queensland on 31 March 2023 - Picture with Qld Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Qld Police Minister Mark Ryan, Brett and Belinda Beasley, Chief Superintendent Rys Wildman and Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler.
Wanding
The 2 year Police wanding trial in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach (Safe Night Precincts) commenced in April 2021 and there were 266 weapons seized. The Premier announced in late 2022 that the wanding trial will continue for a further 2 years and will now be rolled out into all safe night precinct and on all public transport including stations in Queensland and this will be known as “Jack’s Law”. Police Powers and Responsibilities (Jack’s Law) Amendment Bill 2022. Jack’s Law gives Queensland Police the powers to randomly use handheld scanners without warrant in safe night precincts and on all public transport including stations.
These new laws allow police officers to detect people carrying weapons (including knives) in public and they came into effect on 2 April 2023 (Jacks 21st Birthday) to help combat knife crime across Queensland. Under Jack’s Law police officers will use specific criteria to conduct stop and wand operations in all 15 safe night precincts and on all public transport, including infrastructure associated with the public transport in Queensland.
Jacks Law
On 22 August 2024 Jack’s Law in Queensland was expanded to shopping centres, licensed premises, retail outlets and public events.
- Scans are quick, averaging a minute or two and require no physical contact by police.
- Jack’s Law not only detects weapons but deters people from carrying them in the first place.
Thanks to Jack’s Law, police have taken more than 800 knives and other dangerous weapons off the streets.
Jack’s Law is the result of the dedicated advocacy of the Jack Beasley Foundation in reforming knife crime legislation, in honour of Jack.
Jack’s Law in Queensland is due to be expanded to shopping centres, licensed premises, retail outlets and events
Jack’s Law is a nation-leading legislation that authorises police wanding operations.
The below links are the QPS body Camera footage of weapons being located by QPS in wanding operations throughout Qld.
https://r2.mypolice.qld.gov.au/uploads/2023/07/07/075820_northbrisbaneoperationcomp.mp4
https://r2.mypolice.qld.gov.au/uploads/2024/04/03/043622_jacks-law-v2.mp4
https://r2.mypolice.qld.gov.au/uploads/2023/11/30/011029_possession-weapons.mp4
https://r2.mypolice.qld.gov.au/uploads/2023/12/15/055829_op-victor-course-v3.mp4
https://r2.mypolice.qld.gov.au/uploads/2023/11/02/025119_wanding-op.mp4
https://r2.mypolice.qld.gov.au/uploads/2023/06/08/051925_beenleigh-loganlea-wanding_1.mp4
https://r2.mypolice.qld.gov.au/uploads/2023/06/09/060506_wanding-9_1.mp4
On 2 April 2023 Jacks’ 21 st Birthday the Governor of Queensland received the Deputy Clerk of Parliament, Mr Michael Ries and granted Royal Assent to Jack’s Law-Picture Governor of Queensland Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young assenting Jack’s Law.
ABC News Article - 23/12/2022
Sunrise - Passing of Jack’s Law 2023
ABC-Knife Crime Crackdown - Search Powers 2023
Presentation and talk about Jack’s Law with Australian State and Territory Police Ministers, Commissioners in Brisbane 9 June 2023-Picture-Brett, Belinda, Snr Sgt Brad Rix, Australian State and Territory Police Ministers, Commissioners.
In July 2023 Northern Territory introduced a law similar to Queensland’s Police Powers and Responsibilities (Jack’s Law) Amendment Act 2023 to help detect weapons before they are used in offending and better powers to seize and confiscate weapons when found.
On 6 June 2024 Jacks’ Law was passed in New South Wales. Police can now use handheld scanners to detect knives without a warrant in designated areas, including public transport, shopping precincts, sporting venues and public places during special events.
Jack’s Law passed in New South Wales on 6 June 2024- Picture- a private meeting with NSW Premier Chris Minns, NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley, Brett and Belinda on 5 June 2024.
Brett and Belinda first met with the Western Australia Government in April 2024 to discuss Jack’s Law. Western Australia are set to get Australia's toughest knife laws, inspired by Queensland's 'Jack's Law' by the end of 2024. Designated 'Knife Wanding Areas' (KWAs) will be formed to facilitate the knife scans in any public space, such as shopping centres, bus stops, train stations, and sporting or entertainment events.
Picture-Western Australian Police came over to meet with Queensland Police, Brett and Belinda in Surfers Paradise to see how Jack’s Law works on 20 June 2024.
Belinda and Brett have also met with the Victorian Government, Tasmanian Government and Federal Opposition Leader discuss Jack’s Law being implemented into these states.
Picture-Meeting with Victorian Police Minister Anthony Carbines on 18 June 2024 to discuss Jack’s Law-Vic Police Minister Anthony Carbines, Brett and Belinda.
Meeting with Tasmanian Police Minister Felix Ellis on 13 August 2024 to discuss Jack’s Law-Picture- Brett, Tasmanian Police Commissioner Donna Adams, Tasmanian Police Minister Felix Ellis, Belinda, Lariane Ludwig and Qld Police Minister Mark Ryan
Meeting with Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton on 29 August 2024 to discuss Jack’s Law- Picture Kirilly Dutton, Belinda, Brett and Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton We will continue to advocate to not only make Queensland safe but make every state and territory in Australia safe.
Through education and change we can all make a difference.
Parliament House-Picture with Opposition Leader David Crisafulli, Deb Frecklington MP, Brett, Belinda, Chief Superintendent Rys Wildman and Sam O’Connor MP
Jack’s Law passed in New South Wales on 6 June 2024-Picture NSW Attorney General Michael Daley, Brett and Belinda
Law Changes
From 1 September 2024 it will be a criminal offence to sell knives and other controlled items to anyone under 18 in Queensland.
Under the new laws, retailers will also be required to securely store particular controlled items such as double-edged knives, axes, machetes, tomahawks, sickles, swords and spears will be required to display signage regarding age-restricted items. In addition, any advertising of knives or controlled items that suggests them ‘suitable for combat’ will be prohibited.
Expanding on the successful and continued roll out of the Jack’s Law, these new laws will help protect the community and further deter knife crime and youth offending. The new laws further support Jack’s Law, the nation-leading legislation that authorises police wanding operations.
Under the new law
- It will be an offence to sell knives and particular controlled items to minors.
- It will be an offence to use false identification to purchase these items.
- It will be an offence to advertise these items as ‘suitable for combat’.
- Retailers will be required to securely store particular controlled items prior to sale.
- Retailers will be required to display signage regarding age restriction for sales.
- New laws will be enforceable from 1 September 2024.
Passing of the Sale of knives to minors (Prevention of knife crime) and other Amendment Bill was passed on 15 February 2024-Picture with Qld Premier Steven Miles, Brett and Belinda 15 February 2024
Passing of the Sale of knives to minors (Prevention of knife crime) and other Amendment Bill- Picture with Qld Police Minister Mark Ryan, Brett and Belinda 14 February 2024
Quotes attributable to Police Minister Mark Ryan
“The passing of these new laws is another plank in the government’s comprehensive strategy to support community safety.
“The new laws will help to keep dangerous items out of the hands of young criminals.
“The new laws will further support the significant impact Jack’s Law is having in getting dangerous items off the streets.
“I want to thank Jack Beasley’s parents Brett and Belinda for continued advocacy in relation to knife crime.
“It was thanks to Brett and Belinda’s relentless efforts that Jack’s Law became a reality.
“And I know that Brett and Belinda are extremely pleased that these new laws have been passed by the parliament.
“The advocacy from Brett and Belinda has been instrumental in putting Queensland on the map as nation-leading in the fight against knife crime.”
Our aim as a Foundation is to make a difference so Jack's legacy lives on, to make our community a safer place for our kids to grow up in and hopefully no other family has to live through the devastation Jack's family is.
Forever in our hearts Jacko 
- QPS-Minors banned from buying knives
- New laws banning sale of knives and other items to juveniles passed by Queensland Parliament