Police Powers and Responsibilities (Making Jack’s Law Permanent) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill makes Jack's Law permanent and expands police powers to use hand held scanners to detect knives and other weapons across Queensland. It removes oversight requirements for scanning in designated locations, extends scanning to all public places, and also extends counter-terrorism detention powers for 15 years, confirms Marine Rescue Queensland's charitable status, and validates historical SES member appointments.
Who it affects
Anyone in public places across Queensland may be subject to knife scanning by police. The changes are most significant for people who frequent shopping centres, licensed venues, public transport, safe night precincts, and sporting or entertainment venues, where scanning can now happen without prior senior officer approval.
Jack's Law — knife scanning powers
Makes the knife-scanning trial permanent, removing the sunset clause that would have ended it in October 2026. Police can now scan for knives in designated 'relevant places' without needing prior approval from a senior officer. The powers are also extended to any public place with a senior officer's authorisation for up to 12 hours. Between April 2023 and March 2025, police found 1,043 weapons and laid 841 charges after scanning over 102,000 people.
- Jack's Law made permanent — no longer expires in October 2026
- Police can scan for knives in designated places (shopping centres, pubs, public transport, nightlife precincts, retail, sporting venues) without senior officer approval
- Powers extended to any public place with a senior officer's 12-hour authorisation
- Requirement to notify venue managers and give written notices to scanned individuals removed
- QPS website publication of scanning authorisations removed, but annual report requirements retained
Counter-terrorism detention
Extends the Terrorism (Preventative Detention) Act 2005 for another 15 years, until 16 December 2040. This keeps powers allowing police to detain people for short periods to prevent imminent terrorist acts or preserve evidence after an attack. No changes are made to the substantive powers or safeguards.
- Terrorism detention powers extended from 16 December 2025 to 16 December 2040
- No changes to the existing detention powers, safeguards, or oversight mechanisms
Marine Rescue Queensland
Confirms that Marine Rescue Queensland is a charitable institution, resolving legal uncertainty about whether volunteer marine rescue groups can transfer their assets to the new state-wide service.
- MRQ confirmed as a charitable institution for receiving gifts, donations, bequests and legacies
- Removes legal barrier to asset transfers from Volunteer Marine Rescue Association and Coast Guard
State Emergency Service appointments
Retrospectively validates appointments of SES members who were appointed by officers without proper delegation authority, ensuring their emergency response work is legally valid.
- Historical SES member appointments validated even where made without proper delegation
- All actions taken by these members during their service confirmed as lawful
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Introduced2 Apr 2025View Hansard
That the amendment be agreed to
The motion was defeated.
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Ayes (31)
Noes (48)
Vote on a motion
The motion was agreed to.
A formal vote on whether to accept a proposal — this could be the bill itself, an amendment, or another motion.
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Ayes (48)
Noes (32)
▸Committee2 Apr 2025 – 10 June 2025View Hansard
Referred to Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee
The Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee examined the bill over approximately seven weeks, receiving 18 submissions and holding a public hearing and departmental briefing in Brisbane on 30 April 2025. The committee recommended the bill be passed, finding that the enhancement of community safety through expanded wanding powers outweighed limitations on individual rights. Significant stakeholder concerns were raised about the removal of senior officer authorisation requirements, potential disproportionate impact on First Nations people and young people, and the lack of evidence that wanding deters knife crime. Michael Berkman MP (Queensland Greens) filed a dissenting report opposing the bill.
Key findings (5)
- The Queensland Police Union and Jack Beasley Foundation strongly supported making Jack's Law permanent and expanding wanding powers, citing broad public support and the seizure of weapons during the trial.
- Multiple stakeholders including Legal Aid Queensland, the Queensland Human Rights Commission, and the Queensland Law Society raised concerns about removing the requirement for senior police officer authorisation before conducting wanding operations, arguing it was an important safeguard against misuse.
- Data presented to the committee showed that 33 per cent of people wanded under the trial were children, 83 per cent were male, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people appeared to be overrepresented, raising concerns about discriminatory application of the powers.
- The Griffith Criminology Institute's review of the initial wanding trial found no evidence of a deterrent effect on knife crime, and less than one per cent of over 50,000 stop and wand searches resulted in the discovery of a weapon.
- The committee was satisfied that potential breaches of fundamental legislative principles were reasonable and justified, and that hand-held scanning was the least intrusive method to achieve the goal of preventing knife-related crime.
Recommendations (1)
- The committee recommends that the Bill be passed.
▸Second Reading10 June 2025 – 11 June 2025View Hansard
▸43 members spoke42 support1 oppose
Made brief contribution supporting Jack's Law permanent, noting it delivers on an election commitment to make Queensland safer.
“We echo the sentiment of the police minister, who was a detective, who remarked while introducing the bill that every instance of knife crime leaves a lasting impact on victims, their families and the community and that we will not stand by while innocent lives are lost.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard
As Minister for Police, moved the second reading of both bills, detailing how Jack's Law has resulted in over 1,100 weapons seized and the Corrective Services bill fixes a legislative gap in parole board review of decisions.
“Jack's Law has been responsible for taking over 1,100 weapons off our streets since it was introduced.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
As former 28-year police officer, strongly supported Jack's Law. Criticised Labor's previous red tape that excluded schoolies from wanding operations. Spoke mother to mother to Belinda Beasley.
“Belinda, I cannot begin to imagine the pain you have lived through, but I want you to know your son's name will not be forgotten. His death has not been in vain and because of your strength and courage, thousands of weapons have been taken off Queensland streets.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard
Supported both bills while emphasising that the fight against knife crime started under Labor, which first introduced the handheld scanner trial in 2021.
“Let's remember one very important fact: this nation-leading fight started under Labor. It was a former Labor government that first introduced these powers back in 2021.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
As Housing Minister representing the area where Jack lived, passionately supported making Jack's Law permanent. Recounted his long involvement with the Beasley family from the initial petition to the formation of the Jack Beasley Foundation.
“Because of Jack's Law, young Queenslanders will be safer when they head out on a night with their mates. Because of this bill, Jack Beasley will never be forgotten.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard
Supported making Jack's Law permanent and praised the Beasley family's advocacy, arguing the government is fixing Labor's red tape that discouraged wanding operations.
“I stood in this place on 29 March 2023, more than two years ago, and told the House why Jack's Law should be permanent.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported Jack's Law permanent, thanking the Beasley family for channelling their grief into meaningful change. Referenced the annual Jack Beasley memorial walk in his electorate.
“The Beasley family could not do it alone. We have a wonderful community on the northern Gold Coast that got around the Beasley family to support them in their time of need.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard
Confirmed Labor would support both bills, describing the Corrective Services bill as a responsible clarification and honouring the Beasley family's advocacy for Jack's Law.
“I note that the Queensland Labor opposition will be supporting the Corrective Services (Parole Board) Amendment Bill as a responsible clarification rather than a correction.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
As Chair of the Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee, strongly supported making Jack's Law permanent, citing his community survey showing safety as the top concern.
“In my area of Nicklin I recently conducted a community survey and, with over 300 responses, community safety is still the biggest concern raised.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported both bills, detailing the police powers amendments including extended wanding operations and the Corrective Services amendments on parole board review.
“This legislation builds on the success of Jack's Law that was introduced by the then minister for police, Mark Ryan, in April 2023.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported making Jack's Law permanent, emphasising Labor's role in originally bringing the law into parliament and the opposition's backing of the bill.
“From the outset, let me be clear: the opposition backs this bill. We recognise its importance.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported making Jack's Law permanent, noting police have scanned more than 115,000 people resulting in 3,000 charges, mostly weapons and drug related.
“Jack's Law has been responsible for taking over 1,100 weapons off our streets during that time—I repeat: 1,100 bladed weapons in the last two years.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill while noting this was her 32nd speech on crime and justice, acknowledging Labor initiated Jack's Law in 2021 and commending the Beasley family.
“Everyone in this House is rising to that challenge. While we do not always agree across the chamber on what the solution is, I think we are all in this House committed to doing our best to keep people safe.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported making Jack's Law permanent, criticising Labor's earlier modifications that made it difficult for police to use effectively.
“The Crisafulli government is demonstrating once again our commitment to reducing crime and putting the rights of victims ahead of the rights of offenders.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill, proud of the former Labor government's role in creating Jack's Law and noting the Griffith University evaluation that recommended expanding the scanner trial.
“Let's be clear: Jack's Law is Labor law.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Strongly supported making Jack's Law permanent, speaking as a mother about the emotional impact of hearing Belinda Beasley's testimony at committee hearings.
“What are we waiting for? Another tragedy to scar our communities, another family shattered by a senseless act of violence, another mother's soul shattered by the unbearable loss of a child stabbed in the streets that we are sworn to protect?”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Opposed the Jack's Law bill, arguing there is no compelling evidence wanding deters knife crime and that the expanded powers lead to discriminatory policing, with 33 per cent of people searched being children and disproportionate targeting of First Nations people.
“My problem with this bill is that there is no compelling evidence that it will actually achieve that objective. What we do know is that the expansion of arbitrary search powers in public places will give rise to discriminatory policing and profiling.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported both bills, drawing on her experience in law enforcement and community advocacy.
“These bills are putting victims first. They put community safety first.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill while asserting Labor's leadership in introducing and strengthening Jack's Law, pushing back against government claims that this was their initiative.
“I stand here as a very proud member of the Labor government that led the way nationally in the fight against knife crime.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported both bills, commending the Beasley family's advocacy and noting Labor's role in initiating Jack's Law.
“Queensland has really led the way nationally in the fight against knife crime.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
As Attorney-General, supported both bills and the government's commitment to community safety and putting victims first.
“The Crisafulli government committed to making our community safer and is a government that does what it says it would do.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill, acknowledging the Beasley family's advocacy and the importance of making Jack's Law permanent to combat knife crime.
“No parent should have to bury their child, yet for too many that unimaginable grief has become a reality.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill as giving police practical powers while dismissing Labor's machete ban proposal as a political stunt.
“Labor's policy would penalise legitimate agricultural workers and regional Queenslanders without improving community safety.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill, noting the Crisafulli government will ensure Jack's Law remains permanent by eliminating the sunset clause.
“This law stands as a testament to the unyielding strength of those who have turned grief into purpose and heartbreak into hope.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported both bills, recognising the importance of community safety measures and Jack's Law.
“These are important steps to keep our community safe.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported both bills as part of the government's commitment to restoring community safety.
“Behind every crime is a victim, and for too long victims have not been put first. We are changing that.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported both bills, emphasising that Queensland has led the way nationally in fighting knife crime under Labor's reforms.
“Queensland has really led the way nationally in the fight against knife crime, largely because of Labor's reforms while in government.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill, reflecting on Labor's decisive action in 2021 to introduce the handheld scanner trial as an Australian first.
“In May 2021 the former Labor government took decisive action to address the growing concern of knife related violence in our communities.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill's simplification of Jack's Law for broader application, while noting the government needs to extend the machete sale ban further.
“In 2024, Jack's Law was expanded to cover all public places in Queensland, however only when strict criteria were met. This bill simplifies those for police and will have the effect of allowing a much broader application of Jack's Law, which is welcomed.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported both bills as part of the government's commitment to community safety.
“The Crisafulli government is delivering on its promise to restore safety to our communities.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported both bills, noting Labor's role in the original Jack's Law reforms.
“All Queenslanders deserve to feel safe and be safe in their communities.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported making Jack's Law permanent, emphasising the legislation as a testament to those who turned grief into purpose.
“The Crisafulli government will ensure Jack's Law remains permanent by eliminating the sunset clause.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported both bills as Leader of the House.
“Community safety is a priority for this government.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported both bills, acknowledging Labor's role in initiating knife crime reforms.
“We are proud of our record on knife crime prevention.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported both bills as part of the government's commitment to community safety and victim support.
“Making Jack's Law permanent will enable police to use handheld metal detectors to keep our communities safe.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported both bills, noting the importance of keeping communities safe from knife crime.
“Queenslanders deserve to feel safe and to be safe in their communities.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported both bills, drawing on his experience as a former police officer to highlight the importance of giving police the tools they need.
“As so often happens in this place, we see legislation brought before the House as a consequence of tragedy out in our communities.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported both bills as part of the government's broader community safety agenda.
“The Crisafulli government is serious about restoring safety to our communities.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported both bills, noting the importance of community safety and the Beasley family's advocacy.
“Making our communities safer is a shared responsibility.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported both bills as delivering on the government's commitment to community safety.
“These bills put community safety first.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported both bills, emphasising the government's commitment to putting victims first and making communities safer.
“Behind every crime is a victim, and for too long victims have not been put first. We are changing that.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported both bills while asserting Labor's strong record on knife crime prevention and community safety.
“Labor introduced Jack's Law and we have always been committed to keeping communities safe.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported making Jack's Law permanent and criticised the Greens member for Maiwar's opposition to the bill.
“I commend the police minister, a former detective, who has come to this place and in short order is attempting to make something permanent that others opposite took too long to do.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard