Jack Beasley’s parents hail ‘good result’ as Victorian Labor government backflips on knife crime laws

The parents of murdered teenager Jack Beasley have welcomed a long-awaited decision to introduce their son’s namesake knife-detection laws in Victoria.

Brett and Belinda Beasley have spent years campaigning for Jack’s Law to be adopted across Australia after their 17-year-old son was fatally stabbed during a night out on the Gold Coast in 2019.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Victoria to introduce Jack’s Law after election

Now, Victoria is set to introduce the legislation after the November state election, with both major parties backing the move.

For Brett, the announcement marked a major moment in a campaign that has taken him and Belinda around the country.

“It’s a good result. Both parties are on board now. Both parties believe in Jack’s Law.

“And then I put the politics aside... it’s a groundbreaking law... it’s about community safety.

Under Jack’s Law, police and protective services officers will be given powers to use handheld metal detectors to scan people for weapons in public places without a warrant or reasonable suspicion.

Victoria is set to receive 1200 additional wands under the Labor commitment.

Jack was stabbed to death in a horrific brawl in Surfers Paradise in 2019 .

His parents have since made it their mission to push for stronger knife-detection measures, with Jack’s Law already operating in several other states.

The legislation has faced criticism from criminologists and human rights advocates, who have raised concerns about its effectiveness and the potential for racial profiling.

Brett said the arguments around civil liberties and discrimination had not changed his view of the legislation.

“We don’t care what colour your skin is. We don’t care whether you’re black or you’re white. If you’re walking around armed with a knife, then you’re in trouble,” he said.