Posted by 
A ban on the sale of knives to minors will be brought forward as the Queensland government tries to gain control over the state's youth crime problem.
Retailers will be required to lock up sharp weapons such as axes, tomahawks and machetes, and to check identification of those buying them.
The penalty for having a knife in public will also be increased from 12 to 18 months, Premier Steven Miles announced today.
READ MORE: Aussie lunch favourite banned at school canteens
"Ultimately our number one priority is to make sure we keep our community safe," he said.
The opposition mocked the increase as ineffective, saying youth offenders were rarely given the maximum sentence.
"Oh, I can see the young violent, serious repeat offenders across Queensland shivering in their boots," Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie said.
Currently there are no restrictions on the sale or advertising of knives, axes, daggers, gel blasters and other controlled weapons in the state.
Under the proposed changes it will be an offence to sell any of these to anyone under the age of 18 or those using fake identification.
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll addressed cabinet today, also asking the government to expand Jack's Law, which gives police wanding powers.
Jack's Law was introduced after the stabbing death of 17-year-old Jack Beasley in 2019.
Proposed changes to the law would allow police to search for knives at additional locations like shopping centres.
Earlier this month, Queensland grandmother Vyleen White was allegedly stabbed to death in an underground car park of a shopping centre near Ipswich. A group of teenagers have been charged over her death and the theft of her vehicle.
Carroll also requested amendments to legislation to make it easier for youth criminals on bail to be fitted with GPS trackers.
Queensland parliament resumes tomorrow and the youth crime issue is expected to dominate discussions.
