Published February 2025
The Opposition is calling on the Malinauskas Labor Government to fast-track knife crime law reform that has been languishing for months – as knife attacks continue to occur and crime soars across South Australia.
The Government began consultation on a discussion paper, titled ‘Tacking knife crime in South Australia’, six months ago but is still yet to release a final report or undertake any legislative reform.
Shadow Minister for Community Safety, Police and Correctional Services, Jack Batty slammed Labor for dragging its feet on these critical reforms.
“Every week that goes by without these much-needed reforms, an average of 80 more knife crimes are committed across South Australia,” Mr Batty said.
“Data released last year also revealed that knife crime had increased by over 15 per cent year on year.
“While Labor sit on its hands, the community sit in fear. South Australians deserve to feel safe in shopping centres, at service stations and in their own homes but under this Government, crime has continued to surge.
“Labor likes to talk a tough game on law and order, but they never walk the walk and it’s coming at the expense of community safety.
“For months we’ve heard promises of tough new penalties, new police powers and tighter knife laws but are yet to see action – I’m sick of empty promises and I’m certain South Australians are too.”
The Liberal Opposition has been sounding the alarm on knife reforms for months – leading the debate by introducing legislation, which the Government did not support, to ban children from buying knifes.
“We are very open to considering broader knife law reform, but where is it? It’s shocking that any sort of knife reform doesn’t appear to be a priority of Labor,” Mr Batty said.
“In the midst of a crime wave, South Australians deserve a government that will do everything it can to ensure community safety – at the moment, law and order appears to be on the backburner for Labor and it’s completely unacceptable.”
Media Contact: Gretel Mead 0449 500 844
