The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has voiced support for new knife laws in NSW that will improve safety for retailers and the broader community.
NSW police now have the authority to scan people for knives or weapons without a warrant in areas including public transport zones, shopping precincts, certain sporting venues, and special events.
This legislation will also make it illegal to sell knives to a child under the age of 18 (with exemptions for retailers selling to young people who need a knife for their work or study).
ARA Chief Industry Affairs Officer Fleur Brown says that these new laws will play an important role improving safety for the entire community.
“Too many retailers have been threatened or injured by knives during incidents of retail crime,” she says. “We are fully supportive of the NSW government taking this step to tackle safety issues and violence within retail settings and the broader community.”
The ARA is now calling for national consistency in legislation to address knife crime effectively, including police powers to search for knives and consistent age restrictions for the purchase of knives. Disparities include Tasmania having no age restriction, and the ACT and South Australia allowing knife sales to those aged 16 with updates to South Australian legislation announced but not yet passed.
“We encourage all states and territories to consider a standard approach to knife laws, such as the precedent set in NSW,” says Ms Brown.
“Ensuring uniformity in police powers and restrictions on knife sales across Australia will improve community safety and reduce the risk of violence in retail settings.”