14 Knives Removed From Mackay Streets

More than 7,000 people have been scanned and 14 knives seized across the Mackay-Whitsunday Police District since Jack's Law was strengthened one year ago. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara  

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One year after the Queensland Government strengthened Jack's Law and made it permanent, new figures suggest police have scanned more than 7,000 people and seized 14 weapons across the Mackay-Whitsunday Police District.

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According to the Queensland Government, Queensland Police Service officers have scanned 7,032 people in the district since the strengthened laws came into effect on July 18^th 2025. Across Queensland, police have scanned 173,831 people, seized 1,311 weapons and charged 2,652 people with 5,199 offences over the same period.

Speaking in Mackay's CBD on Monday 27^th July, Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton said the legislation was helping improve community safety by preventing dangerous weapons from being used.

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“Those 14 knives are knives which are not going to be used in a serious offence against any person on the street, in a shop, or in a robbery,” he said.

“I congratulate the police in making sure that those knives are off the street.”

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Mr Dalton said the relatively low number of weapons detected reflected strong community compliance with the laws.

“It's really refreshing to see that 7,000 wandings have occurred, so there's not a very high percentage of positive finds on people who are being wanded. That's something to be celebrated.”

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He said educating young people about the risks of carrying knives remained just as important as police enforcement.

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“You never take a knife out of the house unless it's for a lawful purpose,” he said.

“If somebody carries a knife, it may be that you don't have any intention of using it. But then something happens, and that knife could be used by you or by somebody else against you.”

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Mr Dalton said the laws were preventing potential acts of violence before they occurred.

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“Every dangerous weapon taken off our streets is a potential tragedy prevented,” he said.

“The fact that police in the Mackay Whitsunday District have already scanned more than 7,000 people and removed 14 weapons shows these laws are working and helping keep our community safer.”

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Mr Dalton said the Queensland Government remained committed to supporting frontline police

“Jack's Law gives our police the ability to detect concealed weapons before they can be used, allowing officers to intervene early and keep Queenslanders safe,” Mr Dalton said.

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“Our police put themselves on the frontline every day to protect our community, and this Government will continue to ensure they have the powers and tools they need to do that job effectively.”

The Mackay MP and former police officer encourages anyone who suspects a person carrying a knife in a public space immediately contacts the police.

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“If you suspect somebody is carrying a knife in a public place, ring 000 because you never know how badly that situation could change,” said Mr Dalton.

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Looking ahead, he said he hoped police would continue using the wanding powers while working towards eliminating knives from public places.

“I would like to see zero knives being found.”

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