Canberra Liberals push to let police search for knives without suspicion
Canberra Liberals want police to scan for knives without suspicion in high-risk areas, citing school stabbings.
The Liberals held a community forum in Tuggeranong where locals said they felt unsafe at shops, schools and sports fields. Two stabbings happened at Lanyon High School and Lake Tuggeranong College.
Charges have been laid in both matters. ACT Policing reported 1,373 crimes in Tuggeranong between July and September.
The Liberals will push for Jack's Law in the final sitting of 2026. This law would let police use handheld metal detectors to scan people for knives in public spaces.
No warrant or suspicion would be needed. The Opposition tried similar laws in 2024.
But critics say the law doesn't stop knife crime and could lead to racial profiling.
Why it mattersWhether wanding actually prevents knife crime, rather than just moving it elsewhere, is an open question.
AustraliaIf passed, this would give ACT police new search powers in Canberra. The ACT Government is already investigating handheld scanners but only where reasonable suspicion exists, a narrower approach than the Liberals propose.
