Today the Albanese Labor Government introduced legislation to make Commonwealth workplaces safer for workers and the Australian community.
The new Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders Bill 2024 means that a person who causes harm, or threatens to cause harm, to a Commonwealth worker or workplace can be subjected to a Workplace Protection Order (WPO).
Commonwealth frontline workers help the Australian community access essential government services like Centrelink, the Australian Taxation Office, passport offices, airports and the Australian Electoral Commission. They staff service centres and call centres across Australia and are among the first on the scene to assist following emergencies and natural disasters.
Commonwealth frontline workers are increasingly experiencing violence and aggression just for doing their job. Between July 2023 and June 2024, there were 1,692 serious incidents across Services Australia's face-to-face services.
A WPO aims to prevent future violence from happening. These orders aim to stop a person from accessing a particular Commonwealth workplace or from contacting a specific worker if they have been violent, or aggressive in the past. The penalty for an individual who does not abide by their WPO can be imprisoned for up to two years.
A WPO will not stop someone from accessing government services and benefits. Instead, a plan will be developed to ensure they can continue to access these services safely and reduce the risk of further harm.
Following the stabbing attack on Airport West Services Australia officer Joeanne Cassar in May last year, Minister for Government Services and the NDIS Bill Shorten MP commissioned a review into the safety of frontline public service workers which recommended harsher penalties for assaulting Commonwealth workers. This Bill implements recommendation 17 of the Services Australia Security Risk Management Review, conducted by Mr Graham Ashton.
The Government has committed to implementing all recommendations from the Review and has provided $46.9 million in 2023-24 and an additional $314.1 million in the 2024-25 Budget to improve safety and security at Services Australia's service centres.
In July this year the Government legislated stronger criminal penalties to protect Commonwealth frontline workers from violence and aggression.
The new legislation builds on these reforms and sends a powerful message that violence and aggression towards Commonwealth frontline workers and community members will not be tolerated.
Attributable to Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus KC MP
"The Albanese Government deeply values the work done by all our frontline workers. Every day they help people to access government services, support and payments.
"Violence and aggression towards those workers will not be tolerated. All Australians, no matter where they work, have the right to a safe, secure and respectful workplace."
Attributable to Minister for Government Services Bill Shorten MP
"What happened to Jo was abhorrent and unacceptable. This law will help make sure it never happens again."
"Our frontline Commonwealth workers are doing important work supporting those in our communities who need it most."
"Everyone deserves to work in a safe and secure environment free from any threats of harm. This law will mean tougher penalties for anyone who threatens that and ensure workers can go to work and return safely."
