Queensland's premier has unveiled a raft of law changes to further crack down on crime ahead of the state election this year.
Steven Miles revealed the new laws include expanding a trial of police stop-and-search powers to shopping centres, licensed premises, sporting and entertainment venues and high-risk retail outlets.
The trial – which will now be extended until 2026 — gives police powers to randomly search for knives using metal detecting wands.
An additional 3,000 wands and 1,000 state-of-the-art tasers will also be rolled out for police.
Mr Miles said Queenslanders deserve to be safe "in their homes, communities or at the shops".
"I know from travelling the state and listening to Queenslanders that more needs to be done," he said.
"It's our plan to support victims, deliver for the frontline, detain offenders to protect the community, intervene early, and prevent crime before it occurs."
It comes as dozens of people have marched through Brisbane's CBD to Parliament House calling for justice for victims of crime.
It's the latest in a series of rallies demanding reform to the youth justice system in particular.
Premier Steven Miles was mobbed by victims of crime, many who repeatedly told him they felt they weren't being adequately supported.
One woman offered the premier a business card she had been given by a police officer, saying it was the only contact she'd had from authorities in the wake of the crime against her.
Russell Field, father of Matthew Field — killed alongside his partner Kate Leadbetter and their unborn child by a teenager driving a stolen car in 2021 — was upset the premier did not recognise him.
At a press conference Mr Miles said it was the first time he had met Mr Field and while he may not have recognised him on sight he knew the "terrible story" of his son's death.
"It has always stuck with me because I too lost a dear friend on Australia Day in 1994 to a crash not unlike that one," he said.
Graeme and Annette Kimble, family of 16-year-old Ryan Kimble — killed in a car driven by a teenager in 2022 — addressed the rally.
"We didn't receive any support, only this group and family and friends have supported us. The support has been very obscure through the government," Mr Kimble said.
"We just want to see more support for victims."
It was a similar sentiment from Cindy Micallef, daughter of Vyleen White – who was allegedly murdered while grocery shopping earlier this year.
"Unless we're making a racket, victims haven't had the help."
Jack's Law
The legislation, known as Jack's Law, was named in honour of 17-year-old Jack Beasley, who was fatally stabbed outside a Surfers Paradise convenience store in 2019.
Other changes include expanding the trial of electronic GPS monitoring devices for certain young offenders and enhancing access to Children's Court matters for victims, victims families and the media.
Further law changes to be introduced include:
- Increasing the penalty for unlawfully possessing a knife in public and doubling the penalty for a second or subsequent offence
- Introducing a Firearms Prohibition Order scheme to prevent high-risk individuals from accessing and using firearms
- Strengthening weapons licensing by increasing and expanding current exclusion periods for people who have committed serious offences
- Increasing penalties for dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death or grievous bodily harm
- A new offence of ramming emergency service vehicles and endangering police
- Prohibiting "posting and boasting" about certain offences on social media
- Creating a framework for police to issue a take-down notice to social media networks to remove content depicting criminality.
LNP spokeswoman for Youth Justice, Laura Gerber, said the Labor government had dismissed calls from victims of crime to remove the sentencing principle of "detention as a last resort" from the state's youth justice legislation.
"While Queenslanders are marching on parliament to demand action, Premier Miles is refusing to listen," she said in a statement.
"Only the LNP is listening to Queenslanders and will remove detention as a last resort to make our community safer."
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Plan includes boost in police numbers
Mr Miles said the community safety plan was backed by $1.28 billion in funding and included more police and support programs.
"We will invest in 900 extra police, on top of the existing commitment to boost the frontline by 2025," he said.
"It includes more support for victim of crime response organisations, including the Office of the Victims Commissioner.
"We are providing more funding for Queensland Homicide Victims' Support Group, Crime Stoppers Queensland, Neighbourhood Watch Queensland and the Stop Coward Punch Campaign."
A youth justice task force will become a permanent capability of the Queensland Police Service and new POLAIR helicopters have been previously announced for Cairns and the Sunshine Coast.
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2024-04-30 06:00:00Z
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