A packed Tuggeranong Community Safety Forum hosted by Canberra Liberals Leader Mark Parton and Shadow Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Community Safety, Deborah Morris, has shown the depth of community concern about rising violence and antisocial behaviour in Canberra’s south, in stark contrast to the ACT Labor Government’s repeated attempts to downplay the issue.
Held at Erindale Vikings on Monday night, the forum drew a strong turnout of local families, sporting clubs, small businesses and residents who shared firsthand accounts of recent incidents, including school stabbings and violence at local sporting events.
Mr Parton used the forum to reaffirm that a Canberra Liberals Government would introduce Jack’s Law, giving ACT Policing the power to use handheld metal-detecting wands to search for knives in designated high-risk areas without the requirement of reasonable suspicion.
“Antisocial behaviour has become far too common in parts of our city. That is not the standard Canberrans expect, and it is not the standard we will accept,” Mr Parton said.
“A Canberra Liberals Government will deliver Jack’s Law so police can stop knife crime before it happens.”
Ms Morris said the frank discussion showed Canberrans are ready for practical solutions, not excuses.
“We wanted to hear directly from the community so we can work together on better outcomes, and that is exactly what happened tonight,” Ms Morris said.
“Residents spoke clearly about the unease they feel in their own suburbs, at local shops, at schools and at sporting fields.”
The forum comes after repeated government attempts to downplay crime. Police Minister Marisa Paterson has repeatedly claimed the ACT is “the safest city in Australia” and that “crime is actually significantly decreasing,” including in the Legislative Assembly in October 2025 and March 2026. She has also stated there has been no statistical increase in youth offending overall. Attorney-General Tara Cheyne has similarly argued that knife crime has not increased and that expanded police search powers are unnecessary.
Residents made clear these claims do not match the reality on the ground in Tuggeranong.
“The message from Tuggeranong is clear, people are tired of feeling unsafe and they expect action. The Canberra Liberals will continue to push for Jack’s Law, more resources for ACT Policing, and a tougher approach to organised and youth crime,” Ms Morris said.