BILLS

I move: That I introduce a bill for an act to amend the Magistrates’ Court Act 1989 to provide for the Magistrates’ Court to make orders to prevent and reduce unacceptable conduct engaged in by members of the public in certain workplaces and for other purposes. In the last year retail workplaces have seen 30,000 incidents of theft and, for the workers in those workplaces, 5000 incidents of assault.

That is an average of 13 a day across Victoria. And what has this government done? Nothing. 250 days ago in this place we tried to change the law, and every Labor member of Parliament voted against it when we tried to change the law and include workplace protection orders.

What have we seen today? We have seen a stuntish Premier propose to change the law around workplace protection orders. But you have got to read the fine detail with this guy, because what he said is that he might do something in 350 days time.

What does that mean? Well, firstly, he will not be Premier. But secondly, it means that, if we look at the last year, 5000 people will be assaulted.

Think that through – 5000 people. That is why the Liberals and Nationals urgently propose to introduce a workplace protection scheme – guess when – today. We will make sure that it is in place the second it receives royal assent, because we tried 250 days ago.

I acknowledge the work of the member for Caulfield, who at the time did a power of work to make sure that 250 days ago we had a scheme ready to introduce into this place, which the new Premier voted against. At the time he was sitting next to the former Premier, and together they voted against this proposal. Then today, in a performative way, he announces a workplace protection scheme that will not come into place for a year.

Where is the bill? Where is their bill? We have a proposed set of laws today.