UPDATE: The Victorian government has just announced a groundbreaking crackdown on retail crime, introducing potential jail terms of up to five years for individuals who threaten or harm shop and hospitality workers. This urgent legislation, revealed on Friday, October 20, 2023, aims to combat a disturbing rise in retail attacks, with incidents surging over 20 percent in the past year.
Under the proposed laws, shopfront ram raids will be classified as aggravated burglary, carrying a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. Premier Jacinta Allan emphasized the need for stronger protections, stating, “Everyone knows the difference between a customer from hell and a customer who harms.” She reassured the public that the government is committed to standing with retail and customer-facing workers to ensure their safety.
This legislative initiative follows a campaign for enhanced worker protections that has lasted over two years, with hopes for passage before the end of 2023. The government also plans to introduce retail worker protection orders by 2026, enabling bans on threatening individuals from entering specific stores.
The response from industry representatives has been overwhelmingly positive. Michael Donovan, secretary of the Victorian Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association, stated, “The government should do everything in its power to have these tougher penalties in place in time for the Christmas shopping rush.”
Retail crime in Victoria has reached a crisis point, with more than half of retail employees reporting witnessing some form of crime. The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association are urging swift action on these proposed laws, noting that retail crime accounts for about one-third of all reported incidents across Australia.
The ARA’s chief executive, Chris Rodwell, highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, “Retail crime in Victoria isn’t just rising – it’s reached crisis proportions.” Rodwell has called on the Victorian government to establish a dedicated police unit to tackle retail crime, similar to approaches taken in New South Wales and South Australia.
This announcement comes alongside a broader series of reforms aimed at addressing rising crime rates in Victoria, including the controversial “adult time for violent crime” laws. Under these laws, children as young as 14 found guilty of serious offenses could face life sentences, reflecting the government’s commitment to tackling violence at all levels.
As the government moves forward with these crucial changes, the focus remains on enhancing safety for workers during the busy holiday shopping season. The anticipated passage of these measures could significantly transform the landscape of retail safety in Victoria, offering peace of mind to employees and customers alike.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
