The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) welcome the strengthened, bipartisan commitment to address Victoria's retail crime crisis- with both the Government and Opposition signaling support for stronger protections for retail workers, including Workplace Protection Orders (WPOs) and tougher assault penalties.
ARA CEO Chris Rodwell said the renewed focus across Parliament shows retail crime is a shared priority.
"It's encouraging to see both sides of Victorian politics recognise the scale of the crisis and take action," Mr Rodwell said. "Retail crime is not a political issue - it's a community safety issue, and an urgent one."
The ARA and NRA strongly support the Victorian Opposition's call to bring forward the passing of Workplace Protection Order legislation.
"The model for this legislation exists. It is already successfully operating in other jurisdictions. There is no reason for delay," said Mr Rodwell. "If the Opposition introduces a WPO private member's bill, we urge the Government to work constructively to pass it - because every day without these protections is another day retail workers are left at risk."
The ARA and NRA also acknowledge the Victorian Opposition's policy announcement of Protective Services Officer (PSO) strike teams in high-risk shopping precincts backed by Jack's Law, which operates as a proven weapon removal mechanism in Queensland.
"In Queensland, Jack's Law has proven successful as both an intervention and a deterrent, removing 1,126 deadly weapons from Queensland streets over a 14-month period," said Mr Rodwell. "This proves what is possible when governments give police and retailers the tools they need."
The Victorian Government's plan to deploy PSOs and police in major shopping centres over the summer is needed, but industry continues to call for long-term investment in a permanent retail crime police taskforce.
"Victoria is making progress, but the scale of retail crime here demands a full-scale strategy," said Mr Rodwell. "We need specialist retail policing, intelligence-driven tools, digital monitoring and legal frameworks that deliver real protection to workers, shops and communities.
"We urge the State Government to listen to continue to lift its effort by learning from the successful initiatives already in place around Australia - and act accordingly," he said.
