- Police launch major wanding operation to crackdown on knives and violent crime as Schoolies begins.
- Jack's Law continues to deliver results, with more than 60,000 people scanned and 426 weapons removed since July.
- Minister Dan Purdie and Brett and Belinda Beasley join police on the frontline to reinforce Schoolies safety message.
- The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer after a decade of decline under Labor.
The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer and backing police on the frontline, with officers launching an intensified wanding operation on the Gold Coast as thousands of teenagers descend on the city for Schoolies.
With an expanded and permanent Jack's Law now in place statewide, police have ramped up scanning operations aimed at keeping weapons out of Schoolies zones and preventing knife crime.
In the past four months, Jack's Law has already delivered strong results, with 60,598 people scanned and 426 weapons removed from the streets – that's nearly four a day.
During that time, police have also arrested 928 people on 1,741 charges.
It's just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start for Queensland and restoring safety where you live.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie joined frontline officers last night in Surfers Paradise, alongside Brett and Belinda Beasley.
They were reinforcing the Crisafulli Government's commitment to Schoolies safety and to honour the legacy of 17-year-old Jack Beasley who was fatally stabbed in Surfers Paradise in 2019.
The operation coincided with the unveiling of two new specially designed police vehicles, dedicated to Jack's Law-related wanding operations.
Minister Purdie said the operation was another example of the Crisafulli Government delivering real action and restoring safety where you live, after a decade of decline under Labor.
"We promised Queenslanders safer communities and that means giving police the powers they need to prevent knife crime, keep Schoolies safe, and honour Jack's legacy," Minister Purdie said.
"Jack's Law is now permanent, and police can use these metal detecting wands across the State - not just in prescribed areas.
"This is about detecting and deterring knife crime before it happens."
Jack's parents, Brett and Belinda Beasley, said seeing the expanded laws in force at Schoolies was a major milestone in their fight to keep young people safe.
"We made a promise to Jack that something good would come from this tragedy, and now, thanks to this law, lives will be saved," Brett and Belinda Beasley said.
"Every knife detected is a life potentially saved. We'll never know who those young people are, but we know they're out there, and that's why we continue this fight.
"We're incredibly grateful to the police out here keeping kids safe, and to the Crisafulli Government for listening, acting, and making this law permanent."
Acting Chief Superintendent Brett Jackson said making sure everyone can enjoy Schoolies safely was a priority for police.
"Wanding operations under Jack's Law have become a vital tool in preventing serious harm," Acting Chief Superintendent Brett Jackson said.
"They allow us to detect weapons early, intervene quickly, and reassure the community that we're doing everything we can to keep violent crime out of our public spaces.
"The vast majority of Schoolies are here to celebrate responsibly, and we want them to have a fantastic week but our message is simple – look after your mates, stay aware of your surroundings, and if you see something that doesn't feel right, come and talk to us.
"Police will have a highly visible presence across the precinct to make sure everyone can move around freely and safely. It's about prevention, reassurance, and working together with the community so everyone feels safe."
The Crisafulli Government expanded and made Jack's Law permanent in July after overturning Labor's planned expiry of the legislation, restoring the tough powers Queensland police need and deserve.
The law allows officers to use hand-held metal detecting wands in all public places where knife crime may be a risk, giving police the tools they need to get weapons off the streets and save lives.
