Tuesday, 11 August 2026

 Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (14:43): Last Friday I attended the Australian College of Nursing’s National Nursing Forum, where Australia’s chief nursing and midwifery officer Adjunct Professor Alison McMillan addressed the challenges facing our nursing and midwifery workforce. Occupational violence was raised as an increasingly significant issue. It is an issue I constantly raise with hospital executives and one that doctors, nurses and midwives regularly raise with me. Too many health workers tell me of assaults, harassment and intimidation. They are being bitten, spat at and dodging missiles. Just months ago two midwives in Geelong finishing a late shift were assaulted in the car park. It was not an isolated incident: around 65 violent incidents are reported in our hospitals every day. Many go unreported. That is why on the weekend Jess Wilson and I announced a two-year trial of PSOs in seven major Victorian hospitals identified as violent hotspots. PSOs will support clinicians and existing security teams, with clinical decisions always remaining with health professionals. This will be just one of a suite of policies that will be used to reduce the pressure on our health work force. Yesterday the Police Association Victoria’s Wayne Gatt backed the plan. His members have seen increasing call-outs to hospitals, and in his words:

In a public place it deters crime, deters violent behaviour and provides people to respond to situations that are adequately trained when that is required.

Under Labor crime is out of control, and the crime in our hospitals cannot be tolerated. Enough is enough. A Liberal and Nationals government will act to make our hospitals safer and back the people who keep our health system running.