Keeping Communities Safe with Reid’s Law

The Tasmanian Government is taking the next significant step in cracking down on knife crime to keep our communities safe, with Reid’s Law set for debate in Parliament today. 

Minister for Police, Fire, and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, said now is the time for Parliament to step up and put people ahead of politics. 

“Tasmania is one of the safest places in the world, but through social media, we’re seeing criminal trends from other places being imported rapidly,” Minister Ellis said.   

“Unfortunately, that includes people carrying dangerous weapons in public places.    
 

“We’re not talking farmers and tradies carrying work knives - we’re talking about idiots carrying flick knives and machetes for the purpose of causing fear and threatening community safety.  
 

“That’s why the Parliament must pass our life-saving legislation. 
 

“By strengthening search powers, including the use of metal-detection wands, we will get dangerous weapons out of the hands of those that wish to do harm. 
 

“When these dangerous criminals are caught, our tough new penalties will allow us to throw the book at them. 
 

“Reid’s Law is a credit to the advocacy of Laraine Ludwig, and the work of the Jack Beasley Foundation, and I thank them on behalf of the future lives that these reforms will save. 
 

“Tasmanians have told us they want a government who keeps them safe, and through our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, that’s exactly what we are doing.” 

Brett and Belinda Beasley, from the Jack Beasley Foundation, said how honoured they are to be a part of the changes to the knife laws in Tasmania. 

“We have campaigned for Jack’s Law and changes nationally, and would like to thank the Government for making the communities safer.” 

Laraine Ludwig, whose son Reid was tragically killed in a knife attack, said until there is a profound shift in all of Tasmanians’ outlooks regarding crime reduction and crime prevention, laws such as Reid’s Law are vital in creating a non-invasive form of community protection.  

“It is imperative that these laws be passed.”