The Prime Minister announces action against employee abuse with new laws

Customers who attack or abuse retail, hospitality and transport staff in Victoria will face tougher penalties under changes to the law.

In a speech to the Victorian Labor State Conference on Saturday, Premier Jacinta Allan announced her government would introduce legislation to address attacks on consumer-facing workers.

A survey of 4,600 members of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association found that 87 percent of workers experienced abuse last year, an increase of 56 percent from 2021.

“These laws will send a strong message: If you think that workers are there to absorb your aggression, your threats, your intimidation, then you are wrong and you will regret your actions,” Ms. Allan told the crowd.

The Victorian government will convene a worker protection advisory group to monitor the development of legislation it plans to bring to Parliament by the end of 2025.

The group will consider new penalties or criminal offenses for those who mistreat workers, as well as protections against stalking, harassment and intimidation.

Ms Allan said the advisory group would include unions, industry representatives and retailers.

Paul Zahra, chief executive of the Australian Retailers Association, said the reforms would ensure Victoria joined South Australia, NSW, Northern Territory and Western Australia in tightening laws in response to increasing customer aggression and assault.

“No one deserves to be intimidated, harassed or threatened with weapons just for doing their job,” Mr. Zahra said in a statement.

“We recognize that the majority of customers are respectful and do the right thing, but the small minority make retail a dangerous work environment.”

In a separate announcement, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Victoria would become the host location for a national employment licensing system.

“No more second-class status for temporary workers,” he said.