Victorian Opposition Pledges Extra Police Powers to Search for Weapons, Here’s Why

The announcement on the weekend comes after the alleged murder of two children in Melbourne by a machete-wielding gang.

Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin (2nd right) speaks too media alongside (L-R) Victorian Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Evan Mulholland, Victorian Shadow Treasurer David Davis and Victorian Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events Sam Groth following a Victorian Liberals Party Meeting at Parliament House in Melbourne on Dec. 27, 2024. AAP Image/Joel Carrett

Victorian Liberal leader Brad Battin has announced he will implement “Jack’s Law” in response to the state’s current crime wave.

If it wins the state election next year in November, the opposition has pledged to allocate an initial $100 million to fight crime in Australia’s second most-populous state.

Premier Jacinta Allan has been under pressure on the issue after two children were killed by a machete-wielding gang in early September.

The new measures were announced by Battin at his address to the annual State Council meeting in Victoria on the weekend.

Battin said police need the tools and resources to act to restore community safety.

“Jack’s Law will enable police to remove weapons from our streets, including machetes that were at the centre of a gruesome crime last weekend where two young boys were hacked to death,” he said.

“Police and Protective Services Officers will have the power to use handheld wands in any public place, including train stations, shopping centres, and knife crime hotspots without the need for designations.”

What is Jack’s Law?

Jack’s Law is modelled on Queensland legislation introduced in 2023 providing police with the power to use metal detectors to search for weapons in public places.

The law was named after Jack Beasley, who was stabbed while out with friends in December 2019. His father Brett Beasley said Jack’s law should have been introduced long ago in Victoria because it would have saved lives.

“It is making a real difference in Queensland, and it will make a real difference in Victoria,” he said in a statement.

In 2025, the Queensland Parliament passed legislation to make Jack’s law “permanent” by removing its scheduled expiry date of October 2026.

Australia’s most populous state New South Wales has also introduced legislation modelled on Jack’s law.

What Else is the Opposition Pledging?

The Victorian opposition will also establish “Restart,” a residential responsibility and discipline program along with Youthstart.

Restart is a live-in program for serious and repeat youth offenders between 12 and 17 that will include education, discipline, counselling, and community support.

Youthstart includes investment in measures like youth justice hubs, diversion programs and mentoring.

“It is no exaggeration to say communities across Victoria are living in fear. Lawlessness is at crisis levels and crime is impacting every aspect of our lives,” Battin said.

Allan Stands By Government Response to Crime

Allan is currently in Beijing where she met with China’s Minister for Education Huai Jinpeng on Sept. 16.

In response to the alleged machete murders, the Victorian premier has met with South Sudanese communities to find answers to the “senseless violence.”

“In terms of the support that my government provides to Victoria Police on the broader issue, we continue to give Victoria Police more resources and tools and powers to support their important work,” she told Parliament (pdf).

Allan stood by her government’s support for local law enforcement saying the state had more officers per head of population than any other Australian jurisdiction.

“We have continued to provide Victoria Police with additional powers–knife search powers.

“The machete ban, for example, is about giving police more powers.,” she said.

The Allan government’s machete ban bans individuals from buying, using, or selling a machete with potential fines of up to $47,000 (US$31,000).