The shopping centre industry has welcomed the Queensland Parliament’s passage of the Community Safety Bill 2024 which includes the expansion of ‘Jack’s Law’ to enable police to undertake metal detecting wanding operations in shopping centres.
Jack’s Law currently applies to public transport stations, some of which sit on or are adjacent to shopping centres.
The expansion of Jack’s Law into shopping centres will enable a more comprehensive approach to community safety at shopping centre sites.
The Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA) has worked with the Queensland Government and Queensland Police Service (QPS) to address the concerning rising trend in incidents involving dangerous weapons including knives at shopping centres and retail premises.
The shopping centre industry’s top priority is to ensure the community’s safety and welcomes tough measures to prevent crime and address the use of knives at shopping centres.
SCCA Chief Executive Angus Nardi says, “We welcome the passage of the Community Safety Bill, and particularly the extension of Jack’s Law to Queensland’s shopping centres.
“Knife crime is a major concern for our industry, we strongly support measures that help improve community safety.
“There is no place for dangerous weapons, including knives, in our shopping centres.
“We thank the Queensland Government for their engagement on this important issue, including Police Minister Mark Ryan, and the Queensland Police Service,” he said.
“We stand ready to work with the Queensland Police Service to help ensure Jack’s Law is effective and supports community safety.
“We acknowledge the Jack Beasley Foundation, and the Beasley family, for their for campaigning and advocacy on knife crime and community safety issues,” Mr Nardi said.