All staff working in Victoria's prisons will now be better protected, thanks to the Liberals and Nationals fighting for their safety in the workplace.
In the past 12 months, there have been 442 assaults on Victorian correctional staff - including 10 sexual assaults and 6 incidents so serious they required hospitalisation.
Labor's original laws only protected prison guards, ignoring the hundreds of other vital correctional staff who face the risk of violence every day.
The Liberals and Nationals fought to expand protections to all corrections staff, sending a clear message: every correctional worker deserves to be safe at work.
It's disappointing a stronger handcuffing regime for violent prisoners won't be enshrined in legislation at this time; however, the government has stated it will incorporate this in regulations - and we will be holding it to account.
The Community and Public Sector Union backed our amendments, recognising the urgent need for safer working conditions.
Shadow Minister for Corrections, David Southwick said: "Corrections staff have felt ignored and unsafe under Labor, even voting overwhelmingly for a motion of no confidence in the Corrections Commissioner."
"Our prison system is in crisis. Staff shortages have forced repeated lockdowns, and nearly one prison officer is assaulted every single day. That's why we fought for stronger protections because every Victorian worker deserves a safe workplace."
Shadow Assistant Minister for Corrections, Trung Luu said: "For too long, corrections staff have worked in an unsafe work environment. This amendment is a step towards restoring safety and respect in our correctional facilities."
"All corrections workers, whether officers, healthcare staff or administrators deserve to go to work knowing they'll be protected."
