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 (centre).Credit: Rebecca Peppiatt
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.
Stabbing victim Jack Beasley. Credit: Jack Beasley Foundation
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.
On Tuesday, Brett Beasley said he was convinced the WA government would implement Jack’s Law.
“They’re actually writing the legislation as we speak,” Beasley said.
On Tuesday Premier Roger Cook gave the strongest indication yet that his government is about to commit to the laws, six weeks after 22-year-old woman Mauwa Kizenga was fatally stabbed on a Balga street.
“In WA we have our protected entertainment precincts, which will provide us with an opportunity to define an area where something like Jack’s Law, I think, could be very effective,” Cook said.
The attorney-general is preparing to brief the premier on the suitability of the laws in WA in coming weeks.
“We’re looking forward to that advice coming forward and then drafting legislation to look at what we should be doing extra in relation to knife violence,” Cook said.
9 News Perth
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