If you assault, abuse, intimidate or stalk a retail, fast-food, hospitality or transport worker, you can now be banned from their workplace.
The Carroll Labor Government today introduced legislation into the Victorian Parliament to establish a tough new Workplace Protection Order (WPO) scheme to better protect hardworking Victorians.
Workers, union representatives and businesses - who are on the workplace crime frontline - have called for WPOs.
Labor is delivering them.
Too many retail and transport workers are simply doing their job - only to be met with violence and intimidation.
Labor has zero tolerance for this behaviour.
The new laws give courts the power to ban or limit people's access to workplaces when they treat frontline workers unacceptably.
Those can be in place for up to 12 months.
Breaching this means offenders face serious consequences of up to two years in prison or a fine of up to $50,000.
The protections apply across all retail businesses and specified train, tram and bus operators.
That includes ticket sale locations and ticketed-access areas.
Listed retail and transport operators and employee unions can apply to the Magistrates' and Children's Court for a WPO.
The scheme will commence 26 July, 2027.
From brand new check-out kids at our supermarkets, to hard-working small business owners in our cafes and restaurants - the message is simple: everyone deserves to be safe at work and Labor is protecting.
These reforms are the next step in Labor's crackdown on violence against hardworking Victorians.
As stated by Premier Ben Carroll
"Retail and transport workers keep Victoria running and they must be safe at work."
"These new powers will protect workers, stop repeat offenders and make it clear that this behaviour won't be tolerated."
As stated by Deputy Premier and Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams
"Violence and abuse have no place in any workplace. We've listened to workers, unions and industry, and these reforms back them with stronger protections and tougher consequences."
As stated by Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association Secretary Michael Donovan
"The SDA and its members welcome the priority the Premier is giving to the safety of frontline retail and fast food workers."
"They have been subject to torrents of abuse and violence by repeat offenders. The SDA has been lobbying hard for more than twelve months for legislation implementing Workplace Protection Orders to stop these offenders."
