Thursday, 28 August 2025

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Retail workplace safety

Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:02): My question is to the Premier. Violent incidents at Woolworths stores have risen more than 26 per cent over the past year. Shockingly, Victorian stores account for half of this spike. This has prompted Woolworths to introduce body-worn cameras for staff. Why are retail workers now forced to wear body cams because crime is so out of control under this government?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:03): Every worker deserves the right to feel safe at work, and that is why our government is bringing legislation to the Parliament to strengthen protection for retail workers and giving Victoria Police more powers to crack down on offenders. When it comes to giving police more powers to crack down on offending, that is why, through our bail reforms, the toughest bail laws in the country, we have also increased penalties, particularly around if you are caught stealing –

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is debating the question. This is about young workers wearing body cams now. I would ask you to ask her to come back to the question.

The SPEAKER: The Premier was not debating the question. The Premier was being relevant to the question that was asked.

Jacinta ALLAN: That is why, under our bail reforms – and I do acknowledge that those have been strengthened even further this week – it makes it even tougher for repeat offenders, particularly for those who are caught stealing whilst already on bail. We will continue to back and support the work of Victoria Police every day. We will continue to give them the tools, the powers and the resources they need to keep everyone in our community safe, and that includes retail workers. As I have said, we will also strengthen police powers to keep retail workers safe from harm.

Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:04): Why has it been 467 days since the Premier announced laws to protect retail workers and nothing has happened?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Nepean is warned. The member for Narre Warren North is warned.

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:05): I was proud to stand at the Labor Party state conference last year to announce that we are strengthening police powers to protect retail workers from offending. I want to thank the shop, distributive and allied union, which worked with our government. As a former member of that union and as someone who worked in the retail industry, who worked the check-outs for seven years, I was proud to work with the union.

Sam Groth: On a point of order on relevance, Speaker, the Premier put out a press release in May last year on these laws, and they have still done nothing.

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order.

Jacinta ALLAN: Of course, this question can only be asked because we are committed to strengthening support for retail workers. I note a member from the other place is in the gallery today who has been leading the consultation –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Cranbourne! Members will be removed without warning.

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, the question is: why has nothing happened yet? On relevance, I would ask you to ask the Premier. And also the Premier should not be referring to people in the gallery.

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order.

Jacinta ALLAN: I note that as one of the members for South-Eastern Metro who is committed to supporting Victorians and backing Victorians, that member has been leading consultation, and we will be bringing legislation to the Parliament this year.

The SPEAKER: I caution members that it is not acceptable to acknowledge people in the gallery.