I proudly rise today to speak on the Crimes Amendment (Retail, Fast Food, Hospitality and Transport Worker Harm) Bill 2025. This bill will introduce stronger consequences for those who assault or abuse front-facing workers. It will protect workers from violence, threats and abuse and make retail, hospitality, fast food and transport workers safer.

The bill contains three new offences to address violence and aggression against workers: firstly, an amendment to the Crimes Act 1958 for a new indictable offence of assaulting or threatening to assault an applicable customer-facing worker; and secondly, two amendments to the Summary Offences Act 1966, with a summary offence of assaulting an applicable customer-facing worker in connection with the worker’s duties and a summary offence of using, without lawful excuse, language that is profane, indecent, obscene, threatening, abusive or insulting or otherwise engaging in conduct that is threatening, indecent, offensive or insulting towards an applicable customer-facing worker in connection with the worker’s duties. Both summary offences will have a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment, and the new indictable assault offence will have a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, which is consistent with maximum sentences for other assault offences, like assaulting an emergency worker or custodial worker.

I often say to young people across Ripon that working in hospitality and retail is a great way to build up your customer service skills and that it teaches you so much about human behaviour. I remember applying for a job at my local IGA supermarket as soon as I turned 14 and nine months old, and I worked on the checkout and in the deli for over three years after that. It was during the John Howard era, when WorkChoices was running rampant and workers protections were weakened by individual contracts over collective bargaining. I was earning next to nothing and did not know my rights, but I was still so proud to be earning a wage that was my own. The job taught me so much, especially how important it is to be kind to strangers and how much people love to complain about the weather in country Victoria.

Unfortunately nowadays, though, far too many workers in supermarkets are seeing the very worst of human behaviour. The same goes for retail workers, hospo workers, bus drivers and train conductors. They are being subjected to an unprecedented amount of assault and abuse. It is not on, and enough is enough. Every single person has the right to go to work without being subjected to violence, intimidation or abuse, yet far too often workers across Victoria are experiencing exactly that. Bus drivers and taxi drivers in Ripon should be able to do their jobs safely. V/Line workers on the Maryborough and Ararat train lines should not be subjected to violence. Retail workers in Wedderburn and Beaufort should feel protected as they serve the public. But the reality is that too many of them face threats and aggression simply for doing their job.

The data backs this up as well, with 51 per cent of retailers having this year said that they experience physical abuse monthly or more often, and 87 per cent of retail workers report experiencing verbal abuse. Between January and August 2023 there were also 381 reports of assault against taxi drivers here in Melbourne, compared to 319 in the same period in 2022. This offending has a lasting impact not only on workers but on their families and the entire community.

This is why this bill matters. It sends a clear message that anyone who abuses or assaults a front-facing worker will now face penalties of up to five years in jail. This is not about being punitive for the sake of it, it is about protecting workers and making sure that they can go home safely to their families.

I want to sincerely thank the unions across Victoria who campaigned tirelessly for these changes. In particular, I would like to acknowledge the mighty Transport Workers’ Union; the Rail, Tram & Bus Union; and the Shop, Distributive & Allied Employees’ Association. Their tireless advocacy and their commitment to workers have led to these reforms, and our government is proud to partner with them to get it done.

The Christmas period is fast approaching, and we know that stress levels can rise at this time of year. People are racing around trying to get everything done. They have got a big to-do list, they are trying to smash it out and they are also tired and exhausted at the end of the year. Many are having to navigate family dramas or figuring out how to afford everything that their kids want, but there is absolutely no excuse ever for taking out stresses on a worker. With that in mind, our government have worked closely with Victoria Police to make sure that they are ready to operationalise these offences as soon as possible. The bill provides that the worker harm offences will begin two weeks after the bill receives royal assent. This rapid commencement will be an important measure to put an end to the mistreatment and harm that some members of our community choose to direct towards our frontline workers. Our government will also monitor these reforms via a review of the offences within two years. This will make sure that the new offences are working as they should and will enable the government to consider the broader impacts of the reforms, including any adjustments or other steps that need to be taken.

Workers in retail, hospitality, fast food and passenger transport are essential to our society. They are the beating heart of our economy, and we would be, frankly, stuffed without them. We saw this no more clearly than during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it was these workers that kept us fed, connected and safe. Now it is time that we keep them safe, especially those workers who are just starting out in the workforce. The member for Sandringham was asking the chamber earlier, ‘Who has retailers’ backs, and who has hospo workers’ backs?’ We know on this side of the chamber it is only a Labor government that actually, genuinely has their backs. This bill will crack down on those who assault or abuse workers, and it will show them that there is a clear consequence for their actions. It will provide a stronger deterrent against deliberate acts of violence, and it will protect front-facing workers. Our community has been calling for these changes and we have been listening, because unlike those opposite, who are completely focused on themselves today and every single day, we are focused on workers rights. We want to see, on this side of the chamber, workers of all ages coming home safely, and we want to see respect for the people who serve us our meals, who drive us home safely at night, who check us out at the supermarket and who keep our transport system running.

Some may argue that harsher penalties alone cannot change human behaviour, and they are right to an extent. Legislation is only one part of the solution, but it is a critical part, because when the law reflects our values, it sets a standard for the community. It tells people what is acceptable and what is not. It gives workers the confidence that the system is on their side. Alongside this bill, our government will continue to invest in education, awareness and prevention to stamp out violence from the very beginning. We will work with employers to ensure that workplaces are safe and supportive, we will work with unions to make sure that workers know their rights and can stand up for themselves and we will work with Victoria Police to ensure that enforcement is swift and effective.

I want to also acknowledge the workers who have spoken about their experiences. It is not easy to relive moments of abuse or violence, but by sharing their stories they have helped shine a light on a growing problem. Their voices have driven this reform, and their bravery will mean that workers are better protected into the future. This bill is about fairness and it is about justice. It is about sending a message that in Victoria we value the people who keep our state running. Whether you are a teenager working your first job at your local supermarket, like I was, or a bus driver with decades of experience, you deserve to be safe at work and you will always be supported by the Allan Labor government. You will absolutely not be supported by those opposite, who are completely obsessed with themselves and not for the people of Victoria. I commend the bill to the house.