The Australian Retail Council (ARC) has strongly welcomed the NSW government’s move to legislate workplace protection orders (WPO), describing it as a significant step forward for the safety of frontline retail workers.
ARC CEO Chris Rodwell says the announcement builds on the government’s strong and coordinated response to escalating violence, threats and abuse in retail workplaces.
“We strongly welcome the Minns government’s commitment to introduce WPOs. This is a significant step forward in protecting retail workers who face unacceptable violence, threats and abuse simply for doing their jobs,” he says.
“The NSW government has shown real leadership on retail crime, and we appreciate its willingness to listen to and consult with the retail industry throughout this process.”
Mr Rodwell says the statewide rollout of Operation Percentile demonstrates the government’s commitment to action.
“Operation Percentile is one of the country’s only dedicated statewide police operations focused on retail crime. Its intelligence-led approach targets the repeat and high-harm offenders who pose the greatest risk to workers and customers,” he says.
“This is exactly the type of sustained commitment needed to begin turning the tide on retail crime, which has escalated significantly in recent years, across the country.”
The state government has indicated the workplace protection order scheme will commence within 12 months of the legislation passing Parliament, but Mr Rodwell says this timeframe needs to be reduced.
“Retail workers are facing violence and abuse today, and every day counts,” he says. “We urge the government to act with urgency and bring the laws into operation as soon as possible.”
The ARC also awaits the full detail of the Bill and will look closely at whether the scheme includes urgent interim orders.
“Retailers would seek WPOs only in the most serious cases involving violent and abusive repeat offenders,” says Mr Rodwell.
“A strong and effective scheme must enable courts to act quickly when a worker faces an immediate risk. Urgent interim orders would allow an offender to be barred immediately from returning to a workplace while a final order is being considered. That protection is already available in South Australia and the ACT, and it’s working.
“We will continue working constructively with the government to ensure the NSW model delivers strong, practical and immediate protection for frontline retail workers.”
