Thursday, 15 August 2019

In reply to  Ms MAXWELL (Northern Victoria) (20 June 2019)

Ms NEVILLE (Bellarine—Minister for Water, Minister for Police and Emergency Services):

I thank the Member for her question and recognise her advocacy work and interest in seeking reforms to Victoria’s parole, bail, and justice systems. I note her commitment to the safety of the selfless emergency services workers who serve the Victorian community. Emergency services workers should never be attacked during the course of their work. My thoughts are with those affected by this recent attack as well as any first responder who has experienced similarly egregious behaviour in the past.

Over the last couple of years, the Victorian Government has committed to strengthening the protection of our emergency services workers. The imposition of statutory minimum sentences for attacking and injuring emergency services workers on duty has been in effect for offending committed from 28 October 2018 onwards. Offenders will serve a minimum six- month custodial sentence, unless a narrow range of exemptions under ‘special reasons’ apply. It is my understanding that the incident in Shepparton involved charges for offences that will be captured by the government’s strengthened statutory minimum sentences.

The government will continue to support emergency services workers to perform their duties safely. I thank the Member for the support in voting to pass laws earlier this year to strengthen our vital work to protect police. These new laws are now in effect and have recently been used to charge a person for allegedly intimidating a police officer over social media.