- Toughest knife laws in country to protect Western Australians
- Knife Wanding Areas (KWAs) will allow officers to scan for dangerous
weapons without reasonable suspicion
- New and harsher penalties to deter and hold offenders to
account
- Legislation inspired by Queensland's 'Jack's Law'
The Cook Government will introduce
the toughest knife laws in the country, giving the WA Police Force greater
powers to locate knives and other concealed weapons better protecting the
Western Australian community.
Using hand-held metal
detectors known as 'wands', officers will be able to carry out non-invasive scans
of people anywhere, anytime within a specified Knife Wanding Area.
WA's Protected Entertainment
Precincts (PEPs) will be established as permanent KWAs enabling officers to rapidly
search for hidden knives and other dangerous items.
Senior WA Police Officers,
ranked inspector or above, will also have the ability to declare KWAs in any public
place such as shopping centres, bus stops, train stations, and sporting,
community or entertainment events.
Short-term KWAs will be enforced
for up to 12 hours, with the potential to be renewed as operationally required.
The Knife Wanding Area framework
was inspired by Queensland legislation known as 'Jack's Law', named in memory
of 17-year-old Jack Beasley, who was fatally stabbed on the Gold Coast in
2019.
WA's proposed
changes include a new 'edged weapon' offence, which increases penalties for the
illegal possession of bladed weapons to a maximum of three years imprisonment and
fine of $36,000.
'Lawful excuse'
safeguards will protect a person who has a legitimate reason for carrying a
knife from prosecution. Possession for self-defence is not considered a lawful
excuse.
Anyone
caught selling an edged weapon to a person under the age of 18 will also face a
higher penalty of up to three years behind bars and $36,000 fine.
Stricter penalties for
'prohibited weapons' such as ballistic knives and knuckle knives will also be
introduced, increasing from three years imprisonment and $36,000 fine to five
years imprisonment and a fine of $60,000.
Any person who
refuses to undergo a wanding scan, or refuses to produce the object when
requested, will commit an offence. This offence will have a penalty of up to 12
months jail and/or fine of up to $12,000.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"My Government is serious
about tackling the threat of knife crime to better protect Western Australians.
"We've seen the devastating outcomes - both here and in
other parts of the country - that can eventuate when people choose to act
outside the law.
"These proactive laws and
tougher penalties send a clear message to anyone considering carrying a knife,
or similar dangerous weapon, in our community. The illegal possession of knives
won't be tolerated and the chances of you getting caught are increasing."
Comments attributed to Police Minister Paul Papalia:
"Knife Wanding Areas and the
associated powers will ensure WA Police Officers are far better equipped to detect,
deter and reduce the illegal use of knives in Western Australia.
"Our police already do an incredible job identifying and
locating offenders who use knives to commit crimes. And soon they'll have
another tool on their belt to help locate and remove these dangerous weapons from
people before they can use them to harm the community.
"WA Police can scan you anywhere, anytime a KWA is enabled.
"I want to thank Jack
Beasley's parents, Brett and Belinda, who have passionately advocated for and
assisted in the development of this legislation in memory of their son.
"Western Australia will
be a safer place because of their determination to improve safety in Jack's
name."
