The South Australian Parliament has passed Workplace Protection Order (WPO) legislation – a landmark moment for retail worker safety in the state and a major step forward in the national fight against retail crime.

WPOs allow police and courts to ban violent, abusive or repeat offenders from re-entering retail stores and shopping centres for 12 months or more. Breaching a WPO can result in up to five years’ imprisonment, bringing the consequences for retail-related offending more in line with community expectations. 

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) CEO Chris Rodwell said the passage of the laws represents a decisive move to protect retail workers from the escalating violence, abuse and repeat offending occurring across the sector.

“Retail workers are exposed to abuse, threats and assaults at levels that are simply unacceptable – with a serious or violent incident occurring every five minutes across the country,” Mr Rodwell said.

“By passing Workplace Protection Orders, South Australia has delivered one of the strongest tools available to keep repeat and high-harm offenders out of stores and shopping centres. It’s a game-changing reform that will make a real difference on the ground.” 

Mr Rodwell said the new laws directly target the small cohort of individuals responsible for the majority of retail crime incidents. 

“Research shows that 10% of offenders commit around 60% of retail crime. These laws go straight to the heart of the problem by removing repeat offenders from our retail precincts, giving workers the confidence they deserve and restoring safety for customers.” 

South Australia now joins the ACT as the first two jurisdictions in Australia to formally legislate WPOs – positioning the state as a national leader in evidence-based responses to retail crime. 

Mr Rodwell said South Australia has continually set the standard and were the first state to introduce tougher penalties for retail crime.

“This is the type of clear, decisive action that retailers across Australia have been calling for. We hope [the] passage of legislation encourages other states and territories to follow suit without delay,” he said.