Landmark knife crime legislation named in honour of slain Gold Coast teen Jack Beasley has been expanded and made permanent in Queensland.
The Making Jack’s Law Permanent Bill was passed in State Parliament overnight, allowing police to randomly search people for a weapon without a warrant in any public place.
The Bill also removes the sunset clause introduced by the former State Government, which would have seen the law expire after two years.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said making Jack’s Law permanent was a critical step towards restoring community safety.
“Under the former Labor government, this lifesaving initiative would have abruptly ended,” Minister Purdie said.
“Jack’s Law is a proven deterrent, and more than 3,000 arrests shows just how critical it has become in modern policing.
“Jack Beasley’s legacy will have a profound impact on the lives of Queenslanders, ultimately making our streets a safer place to live.”
Between April 2023 and June 2025, police conducted 116,287 scans, arrested 3,080 people on 5,597 charges, and removed 1,126 deadly weapons from Queensland streets.
Jack’s parents Brett and Belinda Beasley have advocated for the laws ever since their 17-year-old son was stabbed to death in Surfers Paradise in 2019.
“Every day we live with the pain of losing Jack,” Brett Beasley said.
“But knowing that his legacy is helping save lives and spare other families from that pain gives us strength.
“This is not just about making new laws, it’s about protecting people and we’re proud that Jack’s legacy is about making Queensland safer.”
