AACS WELCOMES QUEENSLAND’S PROPOSED YOUTH KNIFE SALES BAN

The Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has welcomed a move by the Queensland Government to introduce a ban the sale of knives to juveniles.

AACS CEO Theo Foukkare said the new laws would help to protect retail workers and the wider
community.

“The safety and welfare of our members and the public is our highest priority,” Mr Foukkare said.

“The Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), which represents more than 1500 petrol and
convenience stores in Queensland congratulates the government on this new legislation.

“Our retail members have welcomed these changes as they will go a long way to reducing access to the use of knives in crime related incidents being experienced across all retail settings.

“This new legislation will ultimately help protect communities and all frontline retail staff.

The Queensland Government’s proposed new laws include a maximum penalty of 140 penalty units, or $21,672, if a person sells a knife or other controlled item to a juvenile.

If that seller fails to prohibit the sale of a controlled item a second time, the maximum penalty doubles to 280 penalty units or $43,344 and further increases to 420 penalty units or $65,016 for three or more offences.

Retailers will face further penalties if they fail to display signage regarding new legislation (20 penalty units) and do not properly secure particular controlled items (50 penalty units).

The laws further seek to make it an offence for someone to falsely represent themselves to be over the age of 18 to purchase a controlled item, with a proposed maximum penalty of 25 penalty units or $3,870.

Mr Foukkare said AACS members stand ready to implement any new law that will help protect workers and the community.

“We look forward to working with the government and all stakeholders to ensure that this new legislation is clearly understood and implemented correctly,” he said.

Theo Foukkare is available for interview on 0423 003 133