NRA tells WA to speed up introduction of stronger penalties on retail worker assault

The National Retail Association (NRA) is calling on the Western Australia government to expedite the introduction of stronger penalties for assaults against retail workers.

"We stress the urgent need for WA to legislate these measures as quickly as possible, so retail businesses and their employees feel safe in their workplaces," the NRA said in a statement.

According to the NRA, Australian businesses lose up to $9 billion a year from retail crime.

"This financial burden further strains an industry already under immense economic pressure," the NRA said.

The call comes as the WA government announced last week that it wants to hike the maximum penalty for assaulting a retail worker to seven years or imprisonment or three years and a fine of $36,000 if dealt with summarily.

Look at successful implementation of safer environments

The NRA said it welcomes the initiative from the WA government but advised that it should also look at the successful models implemented in New South Wales and South Australia.

"By drawing inspiration from successful models in other states and taking proactive steps, the WA Government has the opportunity to create a safer retail environment, protecting both workers and businesses from the detrimental impacts of escalating retail crime," the NRA said.

The association stressed that the legislation should have safety measures to protect young workers, who are mostly joining the retail industry.

"As retail abuse becomes a recurring problem, the lives of young workers are increasingly threatened," the NRA said. "We urge the prioritisation of safety measures that protect this vital section of the workforce."

Funding programme for retailers

It also floated the idea of introducing a funding programme that can support security upgrades for small businesses.

"Particularly during times of high inflation, these initiatives would provide much-needed assistance to smaller enterprises that may struggle to afford sophisticated security equipment," the NRA said.

The association underscored the need to also ensure "consequential penalties are just as harsh" to ensure that potential offenders and reoffenders are deterred from their actions.

"The NRA remains committed to working collaboratively with the government to address this critical issue and ensure the well-being of the retail sector in Western Australia," it said.