Crime
Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:22): My question is to the Premier. Woolworths recorded a 99.6 per cent reduction in reoffending following the introduction of workplace orders in the ACT, with overall crime at its territory stores falling 23 per cent compared to last year. Yet, despite Victoria being the retail crime capital of the nation, workplace orders are missing from the government’s bill.
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER: The Leader of the Opposition can repeat his question.
Brad BATTIN: Woolworths recorded a 99.6 per cent reduction in reoffending following the introduction of workplace orders in the ACT, with overall crime at its territory stores falling 23 per cent compared to last year. Yet, despite Victoria being the retail crime capital of the nation, workplace orders are missing from the government’s bill. Why?
Members interjecting.
Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:24): On previous occasions I have made this statement, and I will say it again in response to the Leader of the Opposition’s question: the increase in threatening, violent behaviour towards retail workers is unacceptable, and that is why we are working on introducing into the Parliament stronger powers for Victoria Police to crack down on this behaviour. No retail worker should have that experience anywhere in the nation, and we will be strengthening laws to give police the powers to deal with it here in Victoria.
Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:24): Just like with retail workers, violence against nurses, doctors and other healthcare workers in Victorian hospitals is rising, reaching 23,977 incidents last year, a 20 per cent increase.
Maddy Harradence, Victorian secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, said:
Nurses, midwives and carers are kicked, bitten, hit with an object, punched and spat on …
Some nurses and midwives never return to work. It ruins lives.
Why are nurses and doctors suffering this workplace violence under Labor?
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER: Member for Mordialloc – 1 hour.
Member for Mordialloc withdrew from chamber.
Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:25): In responding to the Leader of the Opposition’s question, I think he did a grave disservice to any worker who experiences violence in their workplace in the way he characterised this. This is something that is being experienced by too many workers around our nation, where we are seeing violence against people in different workplaces rise at unacceptable levels. We are taking action to provide greater powers to support people who work in retail settings. The Minister for Health and the Minister for Mental Health as recently as Friday of last week hosted a round table with representatives of the workers – the workers that we support and the unions that represent them – to work with them on supporting and addressing the too many issues around occupational violence.
The SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, I would ask you not to speak to me in that manner.