CANBERRA LIBERALS TO MOVE MOTION SEEKING TO REDUCE KNIFE-CRIME
Peter Cain MLA
Shadow Attorney-General
Deborah Morris MLA
Shadow Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Community Safety
Media Release
4 March 2025
Shadow Attorney-General, Peter Cain, will move the motion in the ACT Legislative Assembly today calling on the ACT Government to consider increased powers for ACT Policing consistent with ‘Jack’s Law’ following last week’s knife-related incident at the Canberra Outlet Centre.
‘Jack’s Law’ refers to legislation passed in Queensland and New South Wales, which granted police powers to use metal detection wands on people without reasonable suspicion in designated areas. Mr Cain moved a similar motion in the last term of the Assembly on 16 May 2024.
“This motion simply calls for the introduction of demonstrably effective laws to improve community safety and expand the responsiveness of ACT Policing,” Mr Cain said.
“Last week’s knife crime at the Canberra Outlet Centre demonstrated why these expanded powers should be considered for use in designated areas at high risk of knife-crime.”
“These measures should be viewed as similar to the existing random roadside tests conducted by police, it is about ensuring community safety.
“ACT should follow Queensland and NSW to remain appropriately vigilant of the risks of knife-crime,” Mr Cain concluded.
Shadow Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Community Safety, Deborah Morris, said ACT police officers need Jack’s Law to stop knife-crime in Canberra from spiralling out of control.
“We need to take preventative action now to stop knife-crime from spiralling out of control,” Mrs Morris said.
“Police are dealing with a surge in knife-related incidents in carjackings, assaults, and burglaries risking serious injury or death.”
“Jack’s Law will give the police the tools they need to prevent tragedy from hitting and to keep our community safe,” Mrs Morris concluded.
