Summary Offences (Prevention of Knife Crime) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023

Welcomed the intent of the bill to restrict knife sales to minors but criticised the government for not providing adequate support and guidance for small and family businesses who will bear the compliance burden, and called for the LNP's amendments to remove detention as a last resort.

“Knife crime has to stop. We cannot sit by and watch young thugs stabbing and slashing innocent people—people who are just going about their lives—let alone attacking one another.”— 2024-02-14View Hansard

Introduced the bill as Minister for Police, outlining its provisions to ban the sale of controlled items to minors, require signage and secure storage by retailers, and prohibit marketing of weapons that glorify violence. Foreshadowed an amendment to allow retailers to immediately begin restricting sales on assent.

“Too many lives have already been lost because of knife crime. The Queensland government is determined and steadfast in its commitment to reduce knife crime within our community and in particular the prevalence of and notoriety of knife possession amongst young people.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Acknowledged the need to ban weapon sales but argued the bill would do little to stop the problem, drawing parallels with the failure of vaping bans. Called for emergency funding for police and prevention programs.

“Does anyone seriously think that these young criminals, who are so brazen as to go out and stab someone, will stop that behaviour or be deterred because we pass legislation here in this House banning the sale of knives?”— 2024-02-14View Hansard

Stated the LNP would not oppose the bill but criticised it as a missed opportunity that does not address the root causes of knife crime or give police sufficient powers. Foreshadowed LNP amendments to remove detention as a last resort and open the Childrens Court to victims and media.

“At the outset, let me be very clear that the LNP will support any measure to restrict young people's access to dangerous weapons, including knives, which is why we will not be opposing this bill.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Supported the bill as necessary to prevent a knife culture from developing in Queensland, praised Jack's Law wanding powers, and argued the laws would protect small businesses and the community.

“This bill is sending a clear message: Queensland will not tolerate a knife culture.”— 2024-02-14View Hansard

Spoke as committee chair, noting all submitters supported the bill and there was no dissension from opposition members on the committee. Highlighted the bill's role in reducing knife crime and complementing existing strategies.

“During the committee's examination of the bill it became very clear from all submitters that everyone supports the bill.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Welcomed the legislation as overdue but argued it would be difficult to enforce online sales, questioned the evidence for its effectiveness, and called for the LNP's youth justice amendments to be supported.

“There is no question that every available legislative instrument and resource that can be provided must be provided to our dedicated frontline Queensland Police Service officers in order to combat Queensland's youth crime crisis.”— 2024-02-14View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill as a board member of the Jack Beasley Foundation. Acknowledged this legislation will make it harder for young people to access knives while noting it is not a silver bullet. Voiced support for the shadow minister's foreshadowed amendments.

“Every single knife that these laws prevent from getting into the wrong hands is a potential tragedy avoided.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Drawing on 18 years experience in youth detention, spoke strongly in favour of the bill, emphasising the danger of edged weapons and supporting controls on knives, spray paint and gel blasters.

“The changes in the Summary Offences (Prevention of Knife Crime) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 have my unconditional support.”— 2024-02-14View Hansard

Supported the bill, emphasising that knife crime cannot occur without access to a knife. Acknowledged the committee's recommendations around support for small businesses and education campaigns.

“The bill does not suggest that criminal intention will cease, but a knife crime cannot occur if a person does not possess a knife.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Supported enhancing community safety but criticised the bill as a missed opportunity, raising concerns about enforcement in border communities and compliance burdens on mixed businesses such as op shops and jewellers.

“I see the government have no problem in getting tough on family and small business, yet they cannot get tough on youth crime.”— 2024-02-14View Hansard

Stated KAP would vote for the bill but expressed concerns it would have limited impact on knife crime, noting most knives used in crimes do not come from retail purchases. Raised concerns about enforcing online sales restrictions.

“Although this legislation has good intent and the KAP will be voting for this legislation today, I want to put on record our concerns that just banning something and making it illegal to sell a knife to an under-age person does not automatically fix this problem in Queensland.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

As Minister for Police, commended the bill to the House in reply, highlighting declining youth crime statistics in targeted areas, thanking stakeholders including the Jack Beasley Foundation, and announcing amendments to provide retailers with a transition period.

“It is common sense that making it harder or more difficult for young people to access knives is a big step in the right direction to reducing knife crime.”— 2024-02-14View Hansard

Supported the bill, highlighting her previous work as chair of the committee that examined Jack's Law. Commended local police for wanding operations at Garden City bus terminal.

“A knife crime cannot occur if a person is not carrying a knife.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Supported the bill's intent but argued the government was missing a greater opportunity. Raised concerns about the financial impost on small businesses and called for police wanding powers to be extended to all public places. Supported the LNP's foreshadowed amendments.

“I commend this bill and we support the intent of this bill. There are other opportunities that I think the government could very easily take up.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Supported the bill as Minister for Youth Justice, noting the 18% increase in knife crime since 2019. Highlighted the government's broader investment in early intervention and prevention programs alongside this legislation.

“One victim of knife crime is one victim too many. This bill addresses knife crime particularly committed by minors.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Supported the bill but heavily criticised the government's record on youth crime, arguing the 2015 changes to the Youth Justice Act weakened laws and led to the current crisis. Called on the government to accept LNP amendments to remove detention as a last resort and open the Childrens Court.

“The first obligation of any government is to protect the current law-abiding citizens, and this government is failing.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Supported the bill as part of the government's prevention and intervention approach. Noted the international increase in knife crime and the link to reduced firearms availability following the Howard government's firearms ban.

“This bill very much fits into the prevention and intervention space.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Stated the LNP would not stand in the way of the bill but argued it does not address root causes of the youth crime crisis or give police the powers they need. Tabled the LNP's amendments and called on the government to support them.

“Any step to prevent youths from picking up a knife is a step we will not oppose, but I want it on the record that this change is not going to the root cause of the problem.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Supported the bill, drawing on her hospitality family background to explain how apprentice chefs and legitimate users would still be able to access knives with adult assistance.

“These provisions are consistent with an existing framework that is relevant to the offences that prohibit the sale of other items like spray paint to minors.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Spoke in support of the LNP amendments but expressed scepticism the bill goes far enough, drawing on his 25 years of policing experience where he never encountered a juvenile carrying a knife bought from a shop. Raised concerns about costs imposed on small businesses.

“In 25 years of policing I never intercepted a juvenile offender who had a knife or machete that they had bought at a shop.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Supported the bill, detailing its provisions around secure storage, signage requirements and the prohibition on zombie knives. Drew on his border protection experience to highlight the danger of bladed weapons.

“These kinds of weapons I have talked about serve zero practical purpose, particularly in the hands of our youth, and exist purely to encourage violent acts.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Did not oppose the bill but used the debate to criticise the government's youth crime record and advocate for LNP amendments. Cited dramatic crime increases in her electorate and called on the government to support the amendments.

“Everyone knows that this problem Queensland is facing stems from the first decision the Palaszczuk government made all those years ago.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Supported the bill as an important step in changing the culture of knife use by young Queenslanders. Praised the committee process and criticised the LNP for politicising a bipartisan bill.

“This bill takes it back several steps to get ahead of the game.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Supported the bill as one step towards ending violence but emphasised the need to address underlying causes including mental illness and childhood abuse. Questioned the LNP's proposal to remove detention as a last resort, arguing magistrates are already unshackled.

“It takes many steps to end violence, and this bill is just one of those.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Supported the bill as demonstrating the government's commitment to reducing youth crime through prevention. Criticised the LNP's proposal to remove detention as a last resort as ineffective based on evidence from the youth justice select inquiry.

“Crime prevention strategies like these are critical to disrupting crime, to stopping it before it escalates.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Did not oppose the bill but criticised it as expedited by the government to save face after years of inaction. Raised concerns about high penalties for retailers, the difficulty of enforcing online sales, and lack of evidence the bill would deter knife carrying.

“We know that this legislation has been expedited by the Miles Labor government in an attempt to save face for the inaction over the past 10 years on crime issues.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Supported the bill, drawing on her extensive policing experience including encountering juveniles carrying knives at blue light discos in the late 1990s. Argued the bill addresses ease of access to knives, particularly those with no purpose other than glorifying violence.

“These are knives, such as a 'zombie killer', that serve no logistical or legitimate purpose in our society.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Served on the committee and acknowledged the bill would help stop young offenders accessing knives from one source. Raised concerns about costs to retailers, regulation-making powers, and criticised the government for not supporting LNP amendments on detention as a last resort and opening the Childrens Court.

“I was a bit concerned about the issues this might cause some of our retailers with regard to having to secure these items and the cost involved in doing so. I think those concerns are outweighed by the opportunity to make sure that our youth, especially young thugs who are roaming our streets at the moment, cannot get a knife in one fashion.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Supported the bill as a positive step for community safety, emphasising the importance of getting young people away from dysfunction early. Criticised the LNP's amendments as not evidence-based.

“No-one should be walking around our community carrying a knife. It is as simple as that.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Reluctantly supported the bill but argued it would make little difference to youth crime without mandatory minimum sentencing and removal of detention as a last resort. Reminded both major parties they had voted against KAP's 2021 amendments to remove detention as a last resort.

“I will reluctantly be supporting this bill even though I believe it will make little to no difference to youth crime.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Supported the bill as part of an all-encompassing approach to violent crimes. Detailed the committee's recommendations and the bill's objectives to reduce knife accessibility.

“This legislation is not a kneejerk reaction to violent crimes. It is a considered, progressive and ongoing approach to address an alarming and ever-invasive increase in crimes committed with dangerous items including knives.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Did not oppose the bill but argued it would achieve very little while imposing costs and red tape on businesses. Questioned the evidence base, noting offenders could easily obtain knives from home or online rather than retail stores.

“I would not go so far as to say that this bill is shallow window-dressing, but it seems poorly based in terms of hard evidence supporting its provisions.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Supported the bill, arguing reducing accessibility and availability of knives will directly reduce knife crime. Discussed the psychology of young people carrying knives, including peer pressure and the desire for respect.

“Reducing access and availability will reduce knife crime. There is a direct correlation.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard

Briefly spoke in support of removing knives from the streets but criticised the bill for imposing costs on small businesses rather than targeting offenders directly.

“Getting tough on small business is not getting tough on youth crime.”— 2024-02-13View Hansard