The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is calling for nationwide consistency in knife laws just as new rules come into effect this week in New South Wales.
From Monday December 9, NSW police will have the authority to scan people with handheld wands for knives or weapons without a warrant in areas including public transport zones, shopping precincts, certain sporting venues, and special events.
A senior police officer of the rank of Assistant Commissioner or above can turn on wanding powers to be used in the above areas.
Senior police officers will be able to declare these zones for up to 12 hours, with an option to extend that timeframe if specific criteria are met.
This legislation will also make it illegal to sell knives to a child under the age of 16, with exemptions for retailers selling to young people who need a knife for their work or study.
ARA chief industry affairs officer Fleur Brown said that these new laws will play an important role improving safety for the entire community.
“Too many retailers have been threatened or injured by knives during incidents of retail crime,” Brown said. “We are fully supportive of the NSW Government taking this step to tackle safety issues and violence within retail settings and the broader community.”
The ARA is now calling for national consistency in legislation to address knife crime effectively, including police powers to search for knives and consistent age restrictions for the purchase of knives.
Disparities include Tasmania having no age restriction, and the Australian Capital Territory and South Australia allowing knife sales to those aged 16 with updates to SA legislation announced but not yet passed.
According to the ARA, harmonising legislation nationwide will improve community safety and align regulatory standards for retailers and law enforcement.
“We encourage all states and territories to consider a standard approach to knife laws, such as the precedent set in NSW,” Brown said.
“Ensuring uniformity in police powers and restrictions on knife sales across Australia will improve community safety and reduce the risk of violence in retail settings.”
In the new laws, those selling a knife to a child under 16 face an $11,000 fine and a custodial sentence of up to 12 months. It also doubles the maximum penalties for various knife-related offences.
Over the past year, almost 4,000 knives have been confiscated in public places according to the NSW Government.
“I know that these new laws will be inconvenient for people - but we can’t take chances when it comes to public safety," Premier Chris Minns said.
“These new laws which start this week are about ensuring the public feels safe, and secondly and perhaps most importantly, to change the culture.
“To send a strong message to young people in particular, if you’re going to go out at night, don’t take a knife with you because there’s a very good chance you’ll be wanded or scanned at a New South Wales train station.
“I have no doubt that these reforms will save lives, because people will think twice about carrying a knife with them.”
Minister for Police and counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said knfie crime can devastate families and communities, with the tragic consequences played out far too often.
"These new powers give police further capability and resources to quickly detect concealed knives before someone has the chance to use them.
“Police work tirelessly to keep us safe and this reform allows them to continue this important work. I want the community to have the confidence that this government is committed to giving the NSW Police Force all the tools required to combat violent crime.”