Thursday, 5 March 2026

 Chris CREWTHER (Mornington) (14:43): (1548) My question is for the Attorney-General. Can the Attorney-General provide information on what the Labor government is doing to close the serious legal loophole in Victoria’s assault emergency worker laws? In September two uniform female paramedics had commenced their shift and intervened to calm a dispute in Mornington, where 11 ‍females were assaulted. One paramedic is Kathryn McCormack, who was severely injured and kicked and is still awaiting surgery. Yet the charge of assault emergency worker was withdrawn because the paramedics were not considered on duty as they were on a break and not treating a patient at the moment of attack. The issue lies in the definition of ‘on duty’ in the Sentencing Act 1991, which for paramedics relates to hands-on patient care. In December I wrote to five ministers for Kathryn. I am still waiting three months later for a response from all five ministers. The law needs to urgently be changed to cover emergency services personnel whenever they are in uniform.