News Brief
Summary
The Allan government in Victoria is introducing new legislation to parliament today, specifically targeting assaults and threats against workers in retail, hospitality, fast food, and transport sectors. The laws propose significant penalties, including up to five years in jail for assault and up to six months for verbal threats. This is part of a broader government crackdown on crime, which also includes new measures for protest violence and youth crime. The legislation has been welcomed by retailers and unions.
Key Points
- New Legislation: Laws introduced to protect service workers in retail, hospitality, fast food, and transport.
- Penalties: Assault or threats of assault carry a penalty of up to five years in jail. Verbal threats and intimidation carry up to six months in jail.
- Scope: Applies to front-of-house, back-of-house staff, delivery, and rideshare drivers.
- Broader Crackdown: Part of a series of legislative reforms announced this week targeting violent crime, protest violence, and youth crime.
- Rising Crime: Assault incidents have increased over the past decade; supermarket assaults more than doubled from 2016 to last year.
- Ram Raids: Classification changed to aggravated burglary, carrying a maximum 25-year sentence.
- Industry Support: Retailers and unions welcome the laws, citing increased violence and abuse against workers.
- Timeline: Bill tabled Friday, with the government aiming for laws to be in effect by the end of the year.
- Future Measures: Workplace Protection Orders (similar to personal safety orders for entire workplaces) to be introduced next year.
新闻简报
总结
维多利亚州的艾伦政府今日向议会提交新立法，专门针对零售、酒店、快餐和运输行业工作人员的袭击和威胁行为。该法律提议了严厉的处罚，包括对袭击最高判处五年监禁，对口头威胁最高判处六个月监禁。这是政府打击犯罪更广泛行动的一部分，该行动还包括针对抗议暴力和青少年犯罪的新措施。此项立法受到了零售商和工会的欢迎。
关键点
- 新立法：引入法律以保护零售、酒店、快餐和运输行业的服务人员。
- 处罚：袭击或威胁袭击最高可判处五年监禁。口头威胁和恐吓最高可判处六个月监禁。
- 适用范围：适用于前台、后台员工、送货员和网约车司机。
- 更广泛的打击行动：本周宣布的一系列立法改革的一部分，旨在针对暴力犯罪、抗议暴力和青少年犯罪。
- 犯罪率上升：袭击事件在过去十年中持续增加；超市袭击事件从2016年的262起增加到去年的664起，增加了一倍多。
- 撞店抢劫：其分类被改为严重入室盗窃，最高可判处25年监禁。
- 行业支持：零售商和工会对此法律表示欢迎，指出针对工人的暴力和辱骂行为有所增加。
- 时间表：法案于周五提交议会，政府目标是在年底前使法律生效。
- 未来措施：将于明年推出工作场所保护令（类似于针对整个工作场所的个人安全令）。
Original Article Link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-14/crime-crackdown-hospitality-retail-workers/106007796