Houseproud Aussies undertaking any kind of renovation or home maintenance will know all too well that weekends are spent popping in and out of Bunnings for supplies. But a recent rule change in-store stopped one regular shopper in his tracks this weekend, admitting the move “caught me by surprise”.
Queenslander Shane visited his local Caloundra store with his wife to buy a garden hoe for some work in his backyard. But a recent law change introduced in the state meant the garden tool he sought was locked behind perspex glass with a sign on it.
“There was a sign saying seek staff for assistance,” he told Yahoo News Australia. After finding a Bunnings worker in the next aisle, they asked Shane which one he wanted and escorted the item to the checkout for him.
“He said these are new laws, and he needed to carry the hoe to the counter, give it to the lady at the counter and I cannot hold it in the store,” explained Shane, owner of Procheck Automotive. “I thought it was a bit bizarre. I’ve never seen that before.”
Bunnings confirmed to Yahoo that new laws have resulted in the implementation of “several changes” to stores in Queensland.
The Queensland government recently introduced new laws that ban the sale of knives to minors and require retailers to securely store controlled items. The laws, which came into effect on September 1, are designed to reduce the accessibility of certain items to young people and deter violent crime.
Prohibited items include knives, daggers with a double-edged blade, knives with blades at both ends, but also include items such as machetes, axes, sickles, scythes, spear guns, spears, replica firearms including gel blasters that are also replica firearms, and any other bladed item prescribed by regulation. Some knives, such as those made from plastic or with a rounded end, are exempt.
Queensland Police say they will be “vigorously” enforcing the new laws by conducting in-store visits for compliance checks, and for retailers who are caught flouting the rules, fines of up to $6,000 per offence apply.
“If [Bunnings] have rules to follow, you’ve gotta follow the rules but it caught me by surprise,” Shane said, adding that he felt that he now cannot buy gardening equipment without “someone holding your hand”.
Tough rules an extension of Jack’s Law
The tough new rules were introduced as an extension of ‘Jack’s Law’ following the tragic stabbing death of Jack Beasley in 2019 during a night out on the Gold Coast. Queensland Police can now randomly search people for weapons using metal-detecting wands without a warrant.
Since Jack’s Law passed state-wide in March 2023, 689 weapons have been seized during more than 7,000 operations across the state.
The weapons seized range from kitchen and butcher’s knives, tomahawks, hammers, hunting knives, knuckle dusters, screwdrivers and more.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Kelly said in September “for Jack’s Law to be reinforced with these new laws restricting the sale of knives to minors, it will help reduce the number of these weapons getting into the hands of young people to begin with.
“Police are committed to enforcing and utilising both initiatives to help disrupt and prevent crime and keep Queensland communities safe.”
Teen Jack Beasley with his dad Brett. Picture: NCA
Bunnings ‘fully compliant’ with new laws for bladed items
Marg Walford, Bunnings General Manager of Operations, told Yahoo the store is working closely with local communities around the access of specific products to “help meet customer needs and ensure the safety of our team members, customers and community.
“We worked to become fully compliant with the new laws around knives and other bladed items which came into effect on September 1 this year.”
In Queensland stores, customers will see the secure storage of certain products alongside “prominent store signage”.
Our stores will continue to require customers to prove they are at least 18 years old before they can purchase bladed items, in line with our existing policy,” Walford said.
“As always, we’ll continue to follow advice of regulatory authorities across Australia to ensure the safe and proper sale of our products.”
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