Wednesday, 29 July 2026

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Premier, Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Medical Research) (14:05): It was a pleasure today to return to Kmart, where my working life started – out in the suburbs, serving and working and getting to know working people. One thing it taught me was the value of the dollar but also about respect, and one of the most important principles of any government is respecting workers. Today we announce that our government will introduce a workplace protection order scheme. We are going to make sure every worker on the front line knows that when they go to work they come home feeling pretty good about themselves. We know there is always a double-edged sword, when you go to work. It could be a great place, but sometimes you get intimidated, you get bullied, you get assaulted, and that will not be on. That is why we met with the Chief Commissioner of Police last night to say he will have every power and every resource he needs for support. We will introduce a new workplace protection order scheme that will hold anyone accountable that intimidates, bullies or threatens frontline workers in transport, in hospitality and right across our workforce. We stand with workers; we do not stand with One Nation.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is required to be factual, and he voted against the scheme this morning at 9:30.

The SPEAKER: That is a point of debate, member for Brighton.