Police Powers and Responsibilities (Jack’s Law) Amendment Bill 2022
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill extends and expands 'Jack's Law' -- police powers to scan people for concealed knives without a warrant. Named after 17-year-old Jack Beasley who was fatally stabbed in Surfers Paradise in 2019, the law now applies to all 15 safe night precincts across Queensland and all public transport stations and vehicles.
Who it affects
Anyone visiting nightlife entertainment areas or using public transport may be stopped and scanned. The original 12-month trial in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach detected 68 bladed weapons and led to 154 charges.
Key changes
- Expands scanning from 2 Gold Coast precincts to all 15 safe night precincts statewide
- Extends scanning powers to all public transport stations and vehicles within one scheduled stop
- Requires evidence-based authorisation showing recent knife offences or violent crimes in the area
- Police must publish each scanning authorisation online within 2 months
- Annual reporting required on number of people scanned, weapons detected, and charges laid
- Trial extended to 30 April 2025 with a sunset clause
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee30 Nov 2022View Hansard
Referred to Community Support and Services Committee
The Community Support and Services Committee examined the bill over approximately three months, receiving submissions and holding public hearings. The committee unanimously recommended the bill be passed, while making additional recommendations about resourcing, public education, and independent evaluation of the expanded wanding trial. The Queensland Government supported all four recommendations. Key concerns raised by stakeholders included the potential impact on marginalised groups who rely on public transport and human rights considerations around the expansion of police scanning powers.
Key findings (5)
- Knife crime remained a significant concern in Queensland, with 3,415 persons charged with unlawful possession of a knife in 2021-22, though down from a peak of 4,325 in 2019-20.
- The Queensland Human Rights Commission raised concerns that extending the wanding trial to public transport could disproportionately affect at-risk and marginalised groups who rely on public transport for essential services.
- The Women's Legal Service Queensland highlighted that people experiencing homelessness may be particularly affected, as they may possess knives for lawful purposes such as food preparation.
- Stakeholders including DVConnect and the Queensland Human Rights Commission called for an independent review of the expanded trial to assess whether it achieved a reduction in weapons offences and whether it had disproportionate impacts on certain groups.
- The committee found the bill's approach was consistent with similar metal detector scanning powers in South Australia and Victoria.
Recommendations (4)
- The committee recommends that the Police Powers and Responsibilities (Jack's Law) Amendment Bill 2022 be passed.
- In relation to the expansion of the wanding trial to public transport vehicles and stations, the committee recommends: in all regions the wanding trial be adequately resourced and supported by training for QPS officers; the QPS implement a clear, appropriate and concise public awareness campaign in cooperation with Queensland's public transport providers; and the independent review of the extended wanding trial also examine the operation of the wanding trial specifically in relation to public transport vehicles and stations.
- The committee recommends that the public education program is developed in consultation with key stakeholders in targeted areas around Queensland, relevant to local safe night precinct areas, communities and identified public transport centres, and that the QPS extend the public education campaign across Queensland consistent with the extension of the wanding trial.
- The committee recommends that the extended and expanded trial be independently evaluated.
Committee report tabled
▸Second Reading29 Mar 2023View Hansard
▸7 members spoke7 support
As minister, introduced the cognate debate, thanking the Jack Beasley Foundation and outlining the expansion of knife wanding powers to all safe night precincts and public transport stations.
“If a person chooses to unlawfully carry a knife in a public place, then they are putting the community at risk of serious harm. This is not good enough, and the bill will directly address this.”— 2023-03-29View Hansard
Supported both bills, proposing amendments to make the wanding provisions permanent rather than a trial, and called for adequate police resourcing of safe night precincts.
“The opposition firmly believes that extending this trial is not warranted and that these changes regarding scanning provisions, increased scope of prescribed public places and the criteria that a senior police officer must consider before approving the use of a handheld scanner device should be made permanent.”— 2023-03-29View Hansard
Supported both bills as committee chair, acknowledging the Jack Beasley Foundation's advocacy and the importance of evidence-based decision-making in using wanding powers.
“The committee recognises that using wands to search for and detect weapons is an extraordinary and nation-leading power to give to any police service.”— 2023-03-29View Hansard
Strongly supported Jack's Law as a community-led reform driven by the Jack Beasley Foundation, of which he is a board member, but argued the trial end date should be removed to make the powers permanent.
“Jack's Law should be permanent. This should be reviewed in two years but the end date should not be included.”— 2023-03-29View Hansard
Supported both bills, acknowledging the Beasley family's advocacy and the importance of expanding knife detection powers to enhance community safety.
“As a parent myself, it is really important that we all support this bill to prevent lives being lost.”— 2023-03-29View Hansard
Strongly supported Jack's Law, sharing the story of Balin Stewart who was fatally stabbed in his electorate, and argued the trial should be made permanent rather than extended.
“I say to the Labor members in this chamber: suspend any extension of the trial and make it permanent across our communities. Just end the trial and make it permanent.”— 2023-03-29View Hansard
Supported both bills, acknowledging the Beasley family and the importance of expanding knife detection trials to all safe night precincts and public transport stations.
“I acknowledge the Beasley family in the gallery and offer my condolences for their loss. I also pay tribute to all the members who have spoken with great heart about other victims of this prevalent crime.”— 2023-03-29View Hansard
Assent date: 25 March 2022