THE Queensland Government this week passed a Bill to give the state Parole Board laws needed to protect the community and put victims first.

The Bill ensures all parole suspension decisions are reviewed by a full Board within two days.

The Corrective Services (Parole Board) Amendment Bill 2025 ensures all urgent parole suspension decisions, including decisions to leave a prisoner in the community, are reviewed by a full board within two business days.

Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support and Minister for Corrective Services, Laura Gerber said this is another step towards strengthening the Parole Board.

“We made a promise to Queenslanders, we would restore stability, integrity and accountability to the Parole Board and this Bill is another step to delivering on that promise,” Ms Gerber said.

“Already we have restored confidence to the Board, with a new leader at the helm, and now we are giving the Board the power to do its job properly and keep Queenslanders safe.”

The new Bill comes on the back of the Making Jack’s Law Permanent Bill, which was also passed in Queensland Parliament this week.

Introduced in honour of 17-year-old Jack Beasley who tragically lost his life in a knife attack in 2019, the law empowers police to use hand-held metal detectors – wanding devices – to detect and seize concealed weapons in public places.

Making Jack’s Law Permanent Bill allows police to search for weapons beyond designated precincts to any public area, enabling faster, intelligence-led interventions wherever the need arises.

Between April 2, 2023 and June 5, 2025, Queensland police conducted 116,287 scans, arrested 3080 people on 5597 charges, and removed 1126 deadly weapons from Queensland streets.

The Bill also removes the sunset clause, which would have seen the law expire after two years – a move rejected in favour of a permanent and proactive approach.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said making Jack’s Law permanent was a critical step towards restoring community safety.

“Under the former Labor government, this lifesaving initiative would have abruptly ended,” Mr Purdie said.

“Jack’s Law is a proven deterrent, and more than 3000 arrests shows just how critical it has become in modern policing.

“Jack Beasley’s legacy will have a profound impact on the lives of Queenslanders, ultimately making our streets a safer place to live.”

Jack’s parents, Brett and Belinda Beasley, thanked the Government and community for their ongoing support.

“Every day we live with the pain of losing Jack,” Brett Beasley said.

“But knowing that his legacy is helping save lives and spare other families from that pain gives us strength.

“This is not just about making new laws, it’s about protecting people and we’re proud that Jack’s legacy is about making Queensland safer.”