Brad Battin aims to one-up Labor on safety
“Our plan will deliver immediate protections, tougher penalties and faster justice to keep workers and shoppers safe.”
The opposition also claims that data submitted under freedom of information proves that the PSO network has already expanded.
This document, submitted to Opposition victims’ support spokesman Nick McGowan, shows that from January 1, 2024 to June 28, 2025, there were 96 times when Heathmont railway station did not have PSO coverage.
“Labour is using the retail crime crisis to cover the PSO shortage,” McGowan said. “The reality is there are no police or PSO numbers to keep commuters or retailers safe.”
Allan’s government has been pressured for months by unions and business groups to take more action against retail crime.
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Labor responded on Friday with initiatives including new protections against abuse for transport, retail and hospitality workers, and a pledge to introduce protection orders for the entire workplace, such as a personal safety order that would allow retailers to ban aggressive or abusive customers.
In its policy proposal, the coalition sought to expand the PSO network and powers while also giving the industry everything it wanted.
Battin’s government will also create a new offense for assaulting, threatening or harassing customer-facing employees and ban abusive or violent people from entering stores or contacting staff.
The coalition has also pledged to set up a digital platform where staff and employers can report abuse, upload evidence and apply directly through the police for a workplace protection order.
Opposition police spokesman David Southwick said retail workers were harassed at work every day.
“We will tackle retail crime because we are tougher on crime and smarter than Labor on justice,” he said.
“We can’t hold our way out of this problem, so we will provide young people with pathways out of crime and programs that lead them into education, jobs and opportunities.”
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