NSW Labor introduces workplace protection orders for retail staff
Workplace Protection Orders Bill would let businesses, unions and business groups ban perpetrators and restrict weapon access.
The NSW government is introducing the Workplace Protection Orders Bill to protect retail staff from violence. Big W worker Vyvian King faces verbal abuse at least once a week.
Retail workers at the store have been threatened with knives and machetes. If passed, the bill would let businesses ban perpetrators from entering stores, restrict contact with staff, and limit weapon possession.
Breaching a protection order carries up to two years in prison or a $5500 fine. Retail shops across NSW reported about 1400 violent incidents in 2025, with 91 involving weapons.
Retail crime in the Hunter rose 43 per cent over two years.
- 1400 in retail shops
- Violent incidents NSW 2025
- 91
- Incidents with weapons
- 43 percent over two years
- Hunter crime increase
- Up to 2 years prison or $5500 fine
- Penalty for breach
Why it mattersGives retail workers a legal tool to ban repeat abusers and feel safer on the job.
AustraliaNSW retail workers would gain legal protection against violent customers and verbal abuse.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
