The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, has lashed the Allan Labor Government for blocking attempts by the state opposition to halt the knife crime crisis in Victoria with the introduction of Jack’s Law.
The Coalition has pledged to introduce Jack’s Law if elected next year. Jack’s Law gives police the powers and technology needed to stop and search for weapons in public places.
Named after 17-year-old Jack Beasley who was tragically killed in an unprovoked knife attack, Jack’s Law ridded Queensland streets of more than 1200 weapons in its first 12 months in operation.
Speaking in state parliament today, Mr Cameron made an impassioned plea for Labor to side with commonsense and introduce Jack’s Law in Victoria.
“Jack’s Law is in Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. But not in Victoria,” Mr Cameron said.
“The hard and harsh facts are that innocent Victorians are being hunted down and killed on our streets.
“If the Allan Labor Government was serious about protecting Victorians it wouldn’t have stopped efforts by the Coalition today to introduce Jack’s Law.
“We had an opportunity today to work together to introduce legislation that has not just proven effective in other jurisdictions but has saved lives.
“Instead, Labor is allowing the knife crime crisis to continue unabated by showing violent offenders there are no consequences for carrying weapons.
“A government that refuses to take real, sensible action that has proven effective in other jurisdictions – action that has saved lives – is a complete failure.
“Only the Nationals and Liberals will introduce Jack’s Law, and only the Nationals and Liberals are serious about keeping Victorians safe.”
