Wednesday, 27 August 2025

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:18): My question is to the Premier. Retail crime data shows there has been a 41 per cent increase in threatening events in Victoria, compared with a 13 per cent increase in New South Wales. Coles chief executive Leah Weckert said yesterday:

… it is definitely the case that in Victoria, retail crime is escalating more than we are seeing in other states.

Likewise Rebel Sport chief executive Anthony Heraghty said:

We’ve seen a disproportionate increase in Victorian stores. No doubt about that.

Why are retail workers in Victoria less safe than workers in other states?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:18): Retail workers most certainly do deserve to feel safe at work, and that is why later this year we will be bringing legislation to the Parliament to strengthen the protections and increase penalties for those who threaten the safety of retail workers in their workplace. This is going to be important legislation, and in anticipation perhaps we are seeing some bipartisan support for the legislation that will come before the Parliament later this year, because retail workers are an important part –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, the promise for legislation was some 18 months ago. I would ask you to bring the Premier back to the question.

The SPEAKER: The Premier was being relevant to the question that was asked.

Jacinta ALLAN: I think it is well understood that retail workers deserve additional protection and support, because we have seen too many of them subject to both unnecessary and disgraceful abuse simply for doing their job. That is why legislation will come before the house later this year to strengthen and support retail workers who just simply go to work to do their job.

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:20): Premier, this week Reece chief executive Peter Wilson said Victoria is the ‘toughest place in the country’ to do business. This follows the co-founder of SEEK Paul Bassat saying:

Whenever something … is done in this country that’s anti-business, the reality is there’s a good chance it is being done in Victoria.

Premier, why has this government made Victoria unsafe for workers and bad for business?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Members will be removed without warning.

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:21): The data tells us that Victoria is creating more jobs than any other state, Victoria is attracting more business investment than any other state, Victoria is building more homes than any other state –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Leader of the House! Leader of the Opposition! Premier! Member for Tarneit, off you go – an hour.

Member for Tarneit withdrew from chamber.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is required to be factual, and Victoria has the longest unemployment streak in this country.

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order.

Jacinta ALLAN: I will take the ABS every day over the member for Brighton. I will take the advice of –

James Newbury: On a point of order on relevance, Speaker, I just referred to ABS data.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The Premier was being relevant to the question. The member for Mordialloc can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Mordialloc withdrew from chamber.

Jacinta ALLAN: Again, the member for Brighton might want to desperately talk down the workers of this state who are creating the jobs, the workers of this state who are building more homes than any other state and the workers of this state who are supporting more business investment than any other state, but I will not. I will not talk down Victoria.

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is debating the question. Retail workers are being attacked with machetes at this point in time. I would ask you to ask the Premier to come back to that very question.

The SPEAKER: The Premier to come back to the question.

Jacinta ALLAN: Our economy is strong, and it is built on those working people and families who work hard every single day. Those families and working people know that our government is on their side and the Liberals just want to keep cutting their services.