Media release – Laraine Ludwig, 26 November 2024
Reid’s Law a step closer as bereaved mum welcomes crackdown on knife crime
After years of campaigning for tougher knife crime laws in Tasmania following her son’s stabbing death, Laraine Ludwig is relieved that the State Government now intends to take action.
Ms Ludwig’s world was turned upside-down in 2019 when her son Reid was stabbed to death in a random knife attack at a Blackmans Bay service station by a 16-year-old.
Reid Ludwig was just 41, a loving partner and devoted father of two and best friend to his grieving brother. A family man in the prime of his life. His death rocked the community.
His devastated mother Laraine has turned her grief into something constructive, lobbying the government to do more to address knife crime.
“The government’s announcement today is a welcome step forward and I would like to thank the Minister and the Premier for listening and hearing my concerns,” Ms Ludwig said.
“Introducing a new law – Reid’s law – won’t bring my son back, but hopefully it will ensure other families don’t have to go through what my family has.
“I am looking forward to working with the Government to work through the details of the new legislation.
“I would also like to thank all the Members of Parliament who have reached out and offered their support for developing and implementing Reid’s law.”
Western Australia and New South Wales are preparing to implement similar laws, while Queensland adopted a tougher approach in early 2023.
Within 12 months, Queensland police used the new laws to seize more than 500 weapons.
Media release – Jen Butler MP, Shadow Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, 26 November 2024
Liberals follow Labor’s lead on knife crime
Felix Ellis’ position on knife crime was so weak he could not sustain it for more than a few days.
He is now following Labor’s lead and committing to introducing new knife safety legislation – but there are no excuses for him taking this long to act.
Law reform advocate Laraine Ludwig has met with Minister Ellis five times to plead the case for these laws, yet he couldn’t tell Ms Ludwig they would be implemented until after she had support from Labor.
In fact, just last week the Minister told Parliament these laws wouldn’t work. He had been telling Ms Ludwig he wouldn’t introduce them.
It took three hours for Minister Ellis to Act on Stony Rise, three weeks on Port Latta Wind farm and just three days on Reid’s Law.
Today’s announcement adds to a growing pattern of the Liberals sitting paralysed until Labor takes the lead.
We welcome the Minister’s change of heart, but once it again it demonstrates that Labor is leading, and the tired Liberal government is following.
Media release – Tasmania Police, 25 November 2024
Incident at Rosny Bus Mall
Police are on scene at two separate wounding incidents in the Rosny Park area.
The first incident occurred at a fast food outlet in Rosny Park between parties believed to be known to each other.
A youth has reportedly received a non-life threatening injury in the incident, which occurred around 5:40pm.
Police are in attendance and investigations are continuing to locate the offender.
Just before 7pm police were called to the Rosny Park Bus Mall following reports a youth had been wounded in an unrelated incident between people known to each other.
A male victim is in a stable condition after receiving injuries that are believed to be non-life threatening.
A female youth is in custody assisting police with their enquiries.
Media release – David O’Byrne MP, independent for Franklin, 26 November 2024
The government sees sense on metal detecting wands for police
I welcome the state government’s decision to provide members of Tasmania Police with metal detecting wands to help combat knife crime.
This is a great outcome for public safety and a measure which has cross-parliament support.
I raised this matter in state parliament last Thursday on behalf of Laraine Ludwig and on behalf of my community, where there is growing public concern about knife crime.
I wish to especially pay tribute to Ms Ludwig for her advocacy on this matter.
Following the death of her son Reid in a stabbing in a public place, Ms Ludwig has campaigned tirelessly to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
The use of metal detecting wands in Queensland has proven effective in the seizure of hundreds of knives.
While we must continue to address the complex underlying causes of violence in our community, introducing this simple, sensible change in Tasmania will keep our streets safer.
