Tasmania's new knife crime laws—known as Reid's Law—introduce expanded police wanding powers and doubled penalties. Here's what you need to know about the changes and your rights.
If you’ve noticed police officers using metal-detecting wands in public places around Tasmania, or you’ve heard about the state’s new knife laws, you may be wondering what these changes mean for you. Tasmania’s new knife crime legislation–known as Reid’s Law–took effect on 16 June 2025, introducing significantly expanded police search powers and substantially increased penalties for carrying dangerous articles in public.
Whether you’re a tradie who carries tools for work, someone who’s been stopped and searched, or you’re facing charges under these new laws, this guide explains what Reid’s Law means in practice, what your rights are, and what penalties you may face.
Important Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Tasmanian law as at February 2026. It is not legal advice. Every situation is unique, and the application of the law depends on your specific circumstances. You should seek independent legal advice from a qualified lawyer before making any decisions.
Reid’s Law is the informal name for the Police Offences Amendment (Knives and Other Weapons) Act 2025, which amended the Police Offences Act 1935 to strengthen Tasmania’s response to knife crime.
The legislation is named in honour of Reid Ludwig, a 41-year-old father of two who was stabbed to death at a Blackmans Bay service station in November 2019. Reid was returning a hired trailer when a verbal altercation with a 16-year-old youth escalated, resulting in Reid being fatally stabbed in the abdomen. He died later that day at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Reid’s mother, Laraine Ludwig, spent years advocating for legislative change to give police greater powers to detect and deter people from carrying knives in public. Her tireless efforts, alongside advocacy from the Jack Beasley Foundation (named after another young stabbing victim in Queensland), ultimately led to the passage of Reid’s Law in May 2025.
Tasmania is not alone in strengthening knife crime laws. Similar legislation has been introduced in Queensland (Jack’s Law, 2023), the Northern Territory (2023), Western Australia (2024), New South Wales (2024), Victoria (2024), and South Australia (2025).
Reid’s Law introduces two major changes to Tasmania’s knife crime framework: significantly increased penalties and expanded police search powers.
Before Reid’s Law, the maximum penalty for possessing, carrying or using a dangerous article in a public place without lawful excuse was:
Under Reid’s Law, the maximum penalties have increased to:
The doubling of the maximum fine and the increase in the maximum imprisonment term reflects the seriousness with which the Tasmanian Parliament now treats knife crime. Courts retain sentencing discretion, meaning they can impose lesser penalties where appropriate–but the increased maximums signal a clear intention that serious cases should attract serious consequences.
Perhaps the most significant practical change is the introduction of electronic metal detection device searches–commonly called ‘wanding’. Police can now use handheld metal detectors to scan people for concealed weapons in two circumstances:
In any public place with reasonable suspicion: If a police officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that a person is carrying a knife or other dangerous article, they can require that person to submit to a wand search. This is a lower threshold than the previous standard of ‘reasonable belief’.
In prescribed places without prior suspicion: In certain designated locations, police can conduct wand searches on any person present–without needing to form any prior suspicion that the person is carrying a weapon. The legislation identifies these ‘prescribed places’ as locations where knife crime is considered more likely to occur.
The legislation defines ‘prescribed places’ where police can wand any person without first forming a reasonable suspicion. These include:
This means that if you are in the Elizabeth Street Mall in Hobart, the Brisbane Street Mall in Launceston, a shopping centre, or waiting at a bus stop, police can approach you and request that you submit to a wand search–even if you’ve done nothing to attract suspicion.
If you are in a prescribed place and refuse to submit to a wand search without reasonable excuse, that refusal itself provides grounds for police to suspect you may be carrying a dangerous article. In practical terms, this means:
Refusing a lawful direction from police can also constitute an offence in its own right.
Under the Police Offences Act 1935, a ‘dangerous article’ is broadly defined and includes:
The definition is deliberately broad. You do not need to be carrying a large hunting knife or machete to be caught by these laws. A small pocket knife, a Stanley knife, or even a pair of scissors can constitute a dangerous article if you don’t have a lawful excuse for carrying it.
Importantly, self-defence is never a lawful excuse for carrying a dangerous article in Tasmania. If you tell police you’re carrying a knife ‘for protection’, you have effectively admitted to committing an offence.
Section 15C of the Police Offences Act 1935 sets out the lawful excuses for possessing, carrying or using a dangerous article in a public place. These include:
(a) The pursuit of a lawful occupation, duty or activity For example: a tradesperson carrying tools for work, a chef transporting knives to a catering job, or a security officer carrying equipment required for their duties.
(b) Participation in a lawful sport, recreation or entertainment For example: carrying a fishing knife while heading to or from a fishing trip, or transporting fencing equipment to training.
(c) The lawful collection, display or exhibition of the article For example: a collector transporting antique knives to a display, or a historical re-enactor carrying replica weapons to an event.
(d) Using the article for the lawful purpose for which it was designed For example: using a knife to prepare food at a barbecue, or using a box cutter to open packages at work.
(e) Transporting the article to or from a place for a lawful purpose For example: carrying newly purchased kitchen knives home from a shop, or transporting camping equipment including a knife to a campsite.
The burden of proving a lawful excuse rests on you–meaning if you’re found with a dangerous article, you must satisfy the court that you had a lawful reason for having it.
If you need to carry or transport knives or other tools as part of your work or legitimate activities, Tasmania Police advises the following:
In your vehicle:
On your person:
What NOT to do:
If police approach you and request a wand search, or search you based on reasonable suspicion, here’s what you should know:
If police find a knife or other dangerous article on you:
If you are charged with possessing, carrying or using a dangerous article without lawful excuse, the penalties you face will depend on the circumstances, including:
Maximum penalties (as of 16 June 2025):
In practice, first-time offenders without aggravating circumstances are unlikely to receive the maximum penalty. Courts retain full sentencing discretion and will consider all relevant factors. However, the increased maximum penalties mean that more serious cases–such as carrying a machete or large knife in circumstances suggesting an intention to cause harm–can now attract significantly more severe sentences.
It’s worth noting that the maximum penalty under Reid’s Law (3 years imprisonment) is now greater than the maximum penalty for possessing or using a firearm without a licence (2 years imprisonment). This reflects the serious view the Parliament has taken of knife crime.
Carrying a dangerous article without lawful excuse is not the only knife-related offence in Tasmania. Depending on the circumstances, you may also face charges for:
Assault or aggravated assault If you use or threaten to use a knife against another person, you may be charged with assault. The presence of a weapon is typically an aggravating factor that increases the seriousness of the offence.
Wounding or causing grievous bodily harm If you actually injure someone with a knife, you may face serious charges under the Criminal Code, which carry substantial maximum penalties including lengthy imprisonment.
Armed robbery If you use a knife (or threaten to use one) in the course of a robbery, you will face significantly more serious charges than simple robbery.
Going armed in public so as to cause fear Under section 7B of the Police Offences Act, it is an offence to possess an implement or instrument with intent to commit a crime or offence. This carries penalties of up to 50 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment.
Reid’s Law applies to both adults and young people. There is no exemption for minors.
However, the Tasmanian Government has indicated its commitment to the Youth Justice Blueprint 2024-2034, which emphasises prevention, early intervention and diversion for young offenders. Police have discretion in how they deal with young people found carrying dangerous articles, and diversion options may be available in some circumstances.
That said, young people who carry knives in public face the same legal consequences as adults. A conviction for a knife-related offence can have significant impacts on future employment, travel, and other opportunities.
If your child has been charged with a knife-related offence, seeking legal advice early is particularly important.
If you have been charged with possessing, carrying or using a dangerous article without lawful excuse, you should:
Seek legal advice immediately – The penalties are serious and the burden of proving a lawful excuse rests on you
Gather evidence of any lawful excuse – If you had a legitimate reason for having the item (work, sport, recreation, transport), collect any evidence that supports this: work rosters, receipts, photographs, statements from employers or others who can confirm your purpose
Understand the charge – Make sure you understand exactly what you’re charged with and what the prosecution must prove
Consider your options – Depending on the circumstances, you may have options including pleading not guilty and defending the charge, pleading guilty and making submissions on penalty, or seeking diversion (particularly for young offenders or first-time offenders in appropriate cases)
Prepare for court – If the matter proceeds to court, proper preparation is essential to achieving the best possible outcome
Reid’s Law is part of a national trend toward stronger knife crime laws across Australia. Tasmania Police statistics show that charges for possessing dangerous articles more than doubled between 2015 and 2024–from 225 charges to 515 charges–reflecting both increased police focus on the issue and, potentially, an increase in people carrying weapons.
During the wanding trial that preceded Reid’s Law, approximately one in five searches resulted in the confiscation of a dangerous article. This suggests that the new search powers will result in significantly more knives being detected and seized.
The tragic reality is that knives escalate conflicts. What might have been a verbal altercation or a minor scuffle can become a fatal stabbing when someone is carrying a knife. Reid Ludwig’s death illustrates this starkly–a minor dispute in a service station forecourt ended with a father of two losing his life.
The purpose of Reid’s Law is deterrence: to make people think twice before carrying a knife in public, and to give police the tools to detect and remove weapons before they can be used.
If you’ve been charged with possessing a dangerous article, or you’re facing any other knife-related charge, the consequences can be serious. A conviction may result in a fine, imprisonment, and a criminal record that can affect your employment, travel, and other aspects of your life.
At Oxley Barristers & Solicitors, we regularly represent clients facing weapons and knife-related charges throughout Tasmania. We can advise you on the strength of the prosecution case, whether you have a viable lawful excuse defence, what outcome you might expect, and how to present your case in the best possible light.
If you’ve been charged under Reid’s Law or any related offence, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your situation.
This article is intended as general information only. It is not legal advice. Laws and procedures may change. Always seek advice specific to your circumstances from a qualified legal practitioner.
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