WA police union calls for sweeping anti-knife laws

WA’s police union is calling for Queensland’s anti-knife legislation to be rolled out in the state, including in shopping centres, as the premier gives the strongest indication yet that his government is about to commit.

Named after teenager Jack Beasley who was fatally stabbed on the Gold Coast in 2019, Jack’s Law allows Queensland Police to use metal-detecting wands on anyone within party precincts, on or around public transport, and soon in shopping centres and pubs.

WA Police Union president Paul Gale said if it were properly resourced, the rollout of Jack’s Law would likely result in hundreds of knives being seized from WA streets.

“I think it should be everywhere across the country; anything that protects the community and in turn provides a higher safety regime for policing,” Gale said.

The Queensland government announced on Tuesday that Jack’s Law would be expanded to include shopping centres and pubs after more than 400 weapons were confiscated in a year.

Gale cited resourcing as the only barrier.

“It’s one thing to bring in a law, but they have to then ensure that we can actually police it and have the resources to do that,” he said.

“Either that or they hand over that role (wanding) to decent security companies … then it transfers to police when things are seized.”

Jack Beasley’s parents Brett and Belinda met with the NSW police minister and attorney-general about implementing the legislation in that state, a week after they briefed WA Attorney-General John Quigley.