SYDNEY, Jun 21 (NNN-AAP) – The state government of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, announced today that, it will introduce a new bill to parliament, to impose tougher penalties on those who assault retail workers.
According to the NSW government, the bill will introduce three offences to the state’s Crime Act.
Under the new bill, physical and verbal attacks on a retail worker could lead to a maximum penalty of four years’ imprisonment, while 11-year imprisonment is applicable, if physical injury is involved.
The state government cited a survey from the McKell Institute, which showed that, a staggering 85 percent of retail workers in Australia have been abused or assaulted at work.
“The new offences will carry more severe penalties than general assault provisions, and send a strong message that this behaviour is unacceptable,” said NSW Attorney General, Michael Daley.
Australian Retailers Association (ARA), the country’s peak retail body, welcomed NSW’s new legislation, as it is in response to the growing prevalence of customer aggression and assaults.– NNN-AAP
