Victoria retailers criticise weak workplace protection orders

Retail industry representatives in Victoria have criticised the state’s new Workplace Protection Orders (WPOs), saying the framework does not go far enough to protect frontline workers from violence, threats and intimidation, first reported by Jeweller Magazine.

Victoria has brought forward the start of its WPO scheme to March 2027 following pressure from the retail industry. The scheme is designed to prevent repeat offenders from returning to retail workplaces, but retailers have raised concerns over the lack of urgent interim orders while courts consider final applications.

Retailers seek stronger protections

The legislation, passed this week, has been described by the Australian Retail Council (ARC) as the country’s ‘weakest’ framework because applicants must first obtain a court order before an offender can be barred from a workplace.

ARC CEO Chris Rodwell said the legislation falls short of the protections sought by retailers.

"Retailers have fought for these protections for several years in Victoria because frontline workers face crisis levels of violence, threats and intimidation – the worst in the country," he said.

Rodwell called on the Victorian Government to follow South Australia and the ACT, where courts can issue interim WPOs more quickly when there is an immediate risk to workers.

Concerns over delayed court orders

The criticism comes as Victoria records about 100 violent retail crime incidents each day, accounting for more than one-third of Australia's total, according to the ARC.

The Victorian Government has argued that interim orders are unnecessary because the threshold for courts to grant final barring orders is lower. However, Rodwell said this does not address the potential risk to workers while applications are being considered.

"The real risk is the time it can take for a final court order to be made, during which the offender can return to the workplace, and workers remain exposed," he said.

"It is critical the government puts the right protections in place to ensure people can come home safe after a shift."

Penalties for WPO breaches

Under the new framework, breaches of a Workplace Protection Order can attract penalties of up to two years' imprisonment, an AUD50,000 fine, or both.

Retail representatives are now pressing the Victorian Government to strengthen the framework, particularly provisions that would allow courts to act more quickly where workers face an immediate threat.