The father of a teenager stabbed on the Sunshine Coast says $6 million in state government funding for knife crime prevention campaigns is a “step in the right direction”.
Michael Stewart, who lost his son Balin at Buddina in early 2022, welcomed the injection of money that will go towards key initiatives and foundations.
More than $5 million will be utilised for statewide education and awareness campaigns by the Queensland Police Service for knife crime prevention and new retail sale restrictions on knives and other items.
A grant of $200,000 will allow the Balin Stewart Foundation to continue its knife crime prevention strategies, which includes persuading anyone who owns a knife to ‘bin it’ and to educate and forewarn youths about the dangers and consequences that a simple act of violence can have.
Mr Stewart welcomed the financial commitments.
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“The Balin Stewart Foundation’s mission is to raise awareness to the general public and to educate our youth of the dire, ever-lasting consequences of carrying a knife,” he said.
“We are encouraged that a step in the right direction has been taken and hopefully be the start of ever-lasting change.
“We all have a lot of work to do, to curb this scourge on our society.
“Now, the Balin Stewart Foundation will be able to enhance and evolve our programs to achieve these common goals.”
Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt said Michael and Kerri-Lyn Stewart had worked hard to ensure that Balin leaves a legacy and a safer community.
“It’s impossible to comprehend the pain and loss that Michael and Kerri-Lyn have had to endure after their son Balin was so cruelly taken from them,” he said.
“Yet, through it all they have determined that they will do everything they can to minimise knife crime through the Balin Stewart Foundation.”
A grant of $500,000 will also support the Jack Beasley Foundation’s work educating young people about the dangers of knives.
Jack was fatally stabbed in Surfers Paradise in 2019. His parents, Brett and Belinda, have been instrumental when it comes to combating knife crime.
Thanks to their advocacy, Jack’s Law is now in place in Queensland and, as a result of the police wanding operations authorised by Jack’s Law, police have taken more than 450 weapons off the streets. Premier Steven Miles recently announced the government would give consideration to an expansion of the framework.
The Beasleys have also been instrumental in advocating for laws restricting the sale of knives to minors, laws that were passed by the Queensland Parliament last week.
The government will also fund an awareness and education campaign to support the new laws preventing the retail sale of knives to minors.
Premier Steven Miles said he had “admiration for the Stewarts and the Beasleys … two families that have turned the most unimaginable tragedies into lasting legacies for their sons”.
“We have introduced some of the toughest laws in the country to hold offenders to account, and we are investing hundreds of millions of dollars into targeting serious repeat youth offenders, tackling the complex causes of crime and boosting community safety, but we know there is always more to do,” he said.
“The Jack Beasley Foundation and the Balin Stewart Foundation are helping to make Queensland a safer place and this investment shows we are serious about tackling crime from every angle.”
Police Minister Mark Ryan thanked the Beasleys and the Stewarts.
“Not many people have the strength to endure the tragedies that have struck their families and then go on to create a legacy for the loved ones they lost,” he said.
“Queensland leads the nation in the fight against knife crime.
“And that is in very large part due to the unwavering efforts of those behind the Jack Beasley Foundation and the Balin Stewart Foundation.
“Their efforts educating young people are helping to support community safety.”
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