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 weapons in public places across Queensland. It also extends terrorism preventative detention powers by 15 years, confirms Marine Rescue Queensland can receive charitable gifts, and validates past SES volunteer appointments.
Who it affects
Anyone in Queensland public places such as shopping centres, pubs, public transport and sporting venues may be scanned by police without prior senior officer approval. SES and marine rescue volunteers gain legal certainty about their appointments and asset transfers.
Jack's Law — expanded knife scanning
Jack's Law is made permanent by removing the sunset clause that would have ended it in October 2026. Police can now use hand held scanners without senior officer approval at relevant places including licensed premises, public transport, retail shops, shopping centres, safe night precincts and sporting venues. Scanning is also extended to any public place with senior officer authorisation.
- Jack's Law made permanent — sunset clause removed
- Police no longer need senior officer approval to scan at pubs, shops, public transport, shopping centres, safe night precincts and sporting venues
- Scanning expanded to any public place with senior officer authorisation for up to 12 hours
- Requirements to notify venue managers and provide written notices to scanned individuals removed
- Requirement to publish scanner authority details on QPS website removed, but annual reporting retained
Terrorism preventative detention
The Terrorism (Preventative Detention) Act 2005 is extended by 15 years from December 2025 to December 2040, maintaining Queensland's counter-terrorism detention powers as part of a national framework.
- Terrorism preventative detention powers extended to 16 December 2040
- No changes to the actual powers — only the expiry date is amended
Marine Rescue Queensland
Marine Rescue Queensland is confirmed as a charitable institution so it can receive gifts, donations, bequests and legacies. This removes legal barriers to volunteer marine rescue organisations transferring their assets to MRQ.
- MRQ confirmed as a charitable institution for receiving gifts and donations
- Removes legal barriers to asset transfers from volunteer marine rescue groups
SES volunteer appointment validation
Past appointments of SES members that may have been technically invalid — because they were made by regional directors without proper delegation — are retrospectively confirmed as valid.
- Past SES member appointments retrospectively validated
- Actions taken by those 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
Vote on an ALP amendment moved by Ms Fentiman to add to the Olympic Games motion a commitment to 'support the development of Queensland and Australian athletes and para-athletes'. The amendment was defeated 31-48. Not related to the Police Powers and Responsibilities (Making Jack's Law Permanent) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill.
The motion was defeated.
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Ayes (31)
Noes (48)
Vote on a motion
Vote on a procedural motion to suspend standing and sessional orders to allow the Deputy Premier to immediately move a motion about the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Delivery Plan, with time limits of 3 minutes per member and 1 hour total debate. Not related to the Police Powers and Responsibilities (Making Jack's Law Permanent) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill.
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 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.
Committee report tabled
▸Second Reading11 June 2025View Hansard
▸53 members spoke49 support2 oppose2 mixed
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
Strongly supported making Jack's Law permanent and expanding wanding powers, arguing frontline police need these tools to keep communities safe.
“Jack's Law came directly from community-led advocacy, tragically driven by a heinous crime robbing a young man of his life and his parents of a son.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard
As Minister for Police, moved the second reading and strongly supported making Jack's Law permanent, expanding police wanding powers, removing bureaucratic hurdles, and streamlining reporting requirements.
“The bill, by removing the sunset clause for Jack's law, sends a clear message: knife crime will never be tolerated, not now and not in the future.”— 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
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, acknowledging the Beasley family's advocacy and the former Labor government's role in introducing the original trial. Announced Labor would move amendments to ban machete sales.
“Jack's Law represents a careful, considered, evidence-based approach to tackling knife crime.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard
Supported making Jack's Law permanent, emphasising Labor initiated these powers in 2021. Tabled amendments to ban the sale of machetes, arguing the bill should go further on knife crime prevention.
“If we were re-elected, we would have done exactly the same thing because it is the right thing to do to support community safety.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Strongly supported making Jack's Law permanent, noting community advocacy from Burleigh residents and his own efforts as a councillor to push for expanded wanding powers which the former government ignored.
“I ran for parliament so the member for Morayfield would have no choice but to listen to the people of Burleigh.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard
Supported making Jack's Law permanent and removing red tape, arguing Labor's original framework was too complex and bureaucratic for effective policing.
“We are fixing that. The Crisafulli government is cutting the red tape and making Jack's Law permanent.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill as former police minister who introduced the original Jack's Law trial. Emphasised the evidence-based approach taken to build the case for permanence and acknowledged Brett and Belinda Beasley as trailblazers.
“These laws had to be perfect before they could be permanent because they are in Jack's name, and we wanted to make sure that these laws were being used appropriately and in the best interests of Queenslanders to keep all Queenslanders safe forever.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard
Supported the bill while emphasising Labor's role in creating Jack's Law and its progressive expansion. Argued the government should also adopt Labor's machete ban amendments.
“The problem is that they forgot to talk about machetes, which is why we are introducing the amendments.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill as a Gold Coast member who has seen the impacts of knife crime firsthand. Commended the Beasley family and police minister for their work.
“Jack's Law matters because every Queenslander deserves to feel safe walking through a shopping centre, catching a train or heading out with their mates at night.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard
As committee chair, strongly supported the bill, citing committee recommendation to pass. Dismissed Labor's machete ban amendment as a stunt that was poorly thought out and legally unnecessary.
“This is a critical reform—one that delivers on the Crisafulli LNP government's promise to restore community safety, support our frontline police and make permanent one of the most effective tools in the fight against knife crime: Jack's Law.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill as a former police officer, emphasising the importance of the Parole Board and wanding powers for community safety, particularly in domestic violence situations.
“When the Probation and Parole Office know that people are coming out of jail on parole for one reason or another, they are able to develop some really strong target hardening or able to support the victims of domestic violence in their home.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard
Supported the bill and the permanent enshrinement of Jack's Law, while urging the government to adopt a holistic approach including community education and youth engagement alongside legislative reform.
“The opposition supports the passage of this bill and the permanent enshrinement of Jack's Law.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill as a member representing the electorate where the Beasley family lives. Paid tribute to the family's advocacy and local community support through the Helensvale Hornets club.
“Every year the Beasley family organise a walk in the electorate of Theodore at Damian Leeding Memorial Park and every year we put on Jack's favourite colour, green, and walk around that lake with the Beasley family.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard
Supported the bill, acknowledging the Beasley family's advocacy and Labor's role in introducing the original trial. Emphasised the importance of evidence-based policing and bipartisan support for community safety.
“We on this side of the House support Jack's Law being made permanent.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard
Opposed the bill, arguing there is a risk of discrimination against already over-policed populations and that governments should pursue community-led and evidence-based alternatives rather than expanding police powers.
“There is a very real risk of discrimination and harm against already over-policed populations.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard
Supported the bill as the opposition, emphasising Labor's role in creating the original Jack's Law framework and backing the machete ban amendments.
“From the outset, let me be clear: the opposition backs this bill. We recognise its importance.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
As minister, delivered the reply speech reaffirming the government's commitment to addressing knife crime and making Jack's Law permanent. Foreshadowed amendments during consideration in detail.
“I want to reaffirm the Queensland government's unwavering commitment to addressing knife crime and enhancing community safety and security.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill, noting it was a key election commitment and citing the over 1,100 weapons seized as evidence of Jack's Law's effectiveness.
“Making Jack's Law permanent will continue to take weapons off the street and it will save lives. It is that simple.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported making Jack's Law permanent but criticised the government for removing the sunset clause before a proper evaluation was completed, and for eliminating transparency and accountability measures recommended by independent reviews.
“It really, for me, is quite unforgiveable that the government has decided to do away with that particular option.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill but was disappointed the LNP chose not to continue the independent trial evaluation as recommended by the Griffith University study, arguing this undermines public policy and confidence.
“When we do not respond to and reflect the evidence that is provided by academics and research, we undermine public policy.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Passionately supported the bill as a mother and member for Thuringowa, citing the proven effectiveness of wanding with 1,124 weapons seized and over 3,000 charges laid.
“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
Supported the bill, citing community safety concerns in Maryborough and the need to remove bureaucratic barriers for police.
“On this side of the chamber, we understand that removing bladed weapons from our streets is not just common sense; it is also an imperative.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Opposed the bill, arguing there is no compelling evidence wanding deters knife crime, that it enables discriminatory policing disproportionately targeting First Nations people, children and males, and that expanded powers erode civil liberties without meaningful safety gains.
“The logic underlying these powers, whether made explicit or not, is that people existing in public are to be regarded as inherently suspect.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill, citing the stabbing of army veteran Chris Sanders in her electorate as evidence of the need for permanent wanding powers.
“We owe it to Chris Sanders and we owe it to Jack Beasley, the young man this law is named after, who was tragically killed by a knife-wielding offender on the Gold Coast.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill while emphasising Labor's record in creating and progressively expanding Jack's Law. Strongly advocated for the machete ban amendments.
“If they truly believed in prevention, if they truly believed in safety, they would talk with us and support those amendments to ban machete sales unless people have a permit to have one.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill as a bipartisan achievement, emphasising Labor's role in introducing Jack's Law and urging the government to also adopt the machete sale ban amendment.
“There should be no partisan view in this debate. We should be bipartisan across the chamber in supporting the good policy that we introduced when we were in government.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill as Attorney-General, recounting her personal involvement in championing Jack's Law from opposition and criticising Labor for failing to make it permanent earlier.
“Queenslanders cannot afford that kind of complacency. That is why the Crisafulli government has acted decisively to expand and make permanent these powers—powers to save lives.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill while acknowledging concerns raised by the Victims' Commissioner and Legal Aid Queensland about reduced oversight safeguards. Supported Labor's machete ban amendments.
“While supporting the bill today, I do note that the Office of the Victims' Commissioner stated ... their removal may erode public confidence in police responses.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill, citing knife crime incidents in Far North Queensland including stabbings at Cairns Central Shopping Centre and threats at local schools.
“By making Jack's Law permanent and more effective, we are saying to every Queenslander, 'We are serious about your safety and violence has no place here.'”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill and urged all members to support Labor's machete ban amendments as a logical extension of Jack's Law's objectives.
“There is no political contest here; it should just be a contest to get rid of knife crime from our community.”— 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 the bill as delivering on the government's election commitment and praised the ministers and the Beasley family for their advocacy.
“This legislation, once passed, will see Queensland boast nation-leading knife crime and wanding legislation.”— 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 the bill while strongly advocating for Labor's machete ban amendments, citing a shocking increase in machete-related criminal acts.
“Machetes have absolutely no place in shopping centres, parks, public transport or in our public sporting and entertainment venues.”— 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 the bill as delivering on the government's promise to make Queensland safer, dismissing Labor's machete ban proposal as a political stunt.
“This bill gives police what they have asked for. It empowers them to act, prevents knife crime before it happens and delivers on our commitment to community safety.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported making Jack's Law permanent, citing Labor's foundational role in its creation and expansion, and called on the LNP to support the machete ban amendments.
“Even if one life is saved as a result of these amendments to ban machetes then this is a win for all of us.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill, noting the importance of the broader issue of why people carry knives and acknowledging local police efforts in knife crime prevention.
“I personally cannot understand why it was not made easier for police officers to do that at an earlier point in time.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported making Jack's Law permanent, crediting the former police minister for building the evidence base and community support. Strongly urged the government to adopt the machete ban amendments.
“Our goal is to actually drive the habit of knife carrying off the streets of Logan and all the streets of Queensland.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported making Jack's Law permanent, citing local knife crime incidents in Cairns and honouring the advocacy of the Beasley family.
“Every weapon taken off our streets is a potential life saved.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill and the broader application of Jack's Law, which she had called for since 2023. Noted stakeholder concerns about the need for independent review of the exercise of powers.
“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 the bill as a significant milestone in cracking down on knife crime, criticising the former Labor government for burdening police with complex operational rules.
“This legislation is taking the right course of action by removing the existing sunset clause and making Jack's Law permanent.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill and expressed disappointment that the LNP dismissed the machete ban amendments as a stunt, arguing victims of machete crime would be dismayed.
“Sadly, those opposite are calling the proposed amendments a 'stunt' and a 'sham'. I wonder how the many victims of machete crime would feel.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported making Jack's Law permanent and removing bureaucratic barriers, arguing Labor's 2023 changes undermined the law's effectiveness with complex evidentiary and subjective tests.
“We owe Jack Beasley and his family no less than to make the law established in his name effective in preventing the kind of crime that he very sadly was subject to.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill as a bipartisan achievement building on Labor's initiatives, and backed the machete ban amendment as a logical and reasonable initiative.
“Community safety should never be a political contest. It should be a shared commitment.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill as a former Parole Board member, arguing Jack's Law needed to be made permanent and simplified for police. Opposed Labor's machete ban, noting machetes (cane knives) are integral to Queensland's sugar industry heritage.
“We needed to make it simpler, much easier for our police officers but at the same time make our communities a safer place.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported making Jack's Law permanent, drawing on her experience as an emergency medicine doctor to affirm the importance of preventing knife crime. Encouraged the government to consider the machete ban amendments.
“Making these powers permanent will give our police certainty around the continuation of this important crime prevention measure as well as send a clear message to the community that carrying a dangerous weapon in public is not acceptable.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill while strongly asserting Labor's foundational role in creating and expanding Jack's Law, and urging the government to support Labor's machete ban amendment.
“It was a Labor government which, in 2021, proactively introduced handheld scanner powers in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach to tackle knife crime.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
Supported the bill and criticised the Greens member for Maiwar's dissenting report opposing the expansion of wanding powers.
“The Queensland Greens writing a dissenting report shows that this parliament will, unfortunately, most likely not provide a united front or genuinely bipartisan approach to passing this bill.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard
▸In Detail
Opposition amendment seeking leave to move an amendment outside the long title of the Jack's Law bill to ban the sale of machetes across Queensland unless the purchaser has a permit.
Government amendment inserting new provisions into the Public Sector Act 2022 to validate historical fire commissioner and police commissioner appointments from 2012-2023, and amending the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 to streamline toll road declaration processes.
Second opposition attempt to seek leave to move a machete ban amendment outside the long title of the Jack's Law bill, after clauses 20-23 were agreed to.
Assent date: 16 June 2025
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