A Mettam Liberal Government will introduce Workplace Protection Orders to keep repeated thugs out of business premises, keeping retail workers and customers safer across Western Australia.

“Across the state we are hearing that crime and anti-social behaviour is out of control and is disrupting too many lives,” said Libby Mettam, WA Liberal Leader.

“Retailers are telling us it’s Roger Cook’s soft touch approach to crime that is emboldening criminals to act – which is why we are committed to getting tough on crime to keep Western Australians safe in their homes and in their communities.

"A recent survey by the SDA showed reports of physical violence by retail workers increased by nearly 60 per cent between 2021 and 2023 – event the Cook Labor Government has admitted violence against retail workers is getting worse on their watch"

“A Workplace Protection Order will keep thugs who frequently intimidate – or are violent towards – workers and customers in shops out of those premises.”

A Workplace Protection Order (WPO) will empower businesses to proactively protect their staff and customers from high-harm recidivist offenders. It will apply for a period of 12 months. A WPO will allow employers to apply for protective orders on behalf of their staff, safeguarding the entire workplace, rather than burdening individual victims with the process of getting a violence restraining order.

“Rather than forcing a victim of violence in the workplace to go through the process of getting a VRO – and protecting only one staff member – a WPO will allow a business to deliver the same protection for all staff and customers.

Following an incident of violence or intimidation in the workplace, a business will be able to apply to the Court for a WPO, like a restraining order. Employers will still be required to provide evidence like CCTV footage, police reports, and witness statements to provide a strong basis of evidence to meet the burden of proof. This will ensure if a WPO is granted, there is a demonstrated threat posed by a respondent.

“WPOs have been successfully rolled out in the ACT, where they have specifically targeted repeat offenders, legally barring those individuals who pose an ongoing threat from workplaces,” said Mr Sibma, Shadow Minister for Justice.

“We will also tackle repeat offenders by allocating $5 million over four years to run anti-recidivism programs to break the cycle of violence.

“In other words, we will keep repeat offenders out of stores, while giving them the tools to break the cycle, making the Western Australian community safer.

“At the same time, we will create an additional 25 specialist roles within a new Workplace Protection Unit within WA Police, equipping law enforcement with the tools they need to implement WPOs, then enforce and respond to workplace violence,” said Mr Sibma.

George Tilbury, Liberal Candidate for Forrestfield, a police officer, and former President of the WA Police Union, welcomed the announcement.

“This is about giving employers across Western Australia the tools they need to make it safer for their staff and customers, without forcing victims through the harrowing VRO process,” said Mr Tilbury.

“We have seen an alarming increase in crime and anti-social behaviour across WA, with shoplifting up 120 per cent under Roger Cook, and our communities are fed up.

“This is about making our communities and businesses a safer place.”