Workplace Protection Order: Australia wants harm-doers restricted from Commonwealth workplaces

Non-compliance with the WPO will result in imprisonment for up to two years

Workplace Protection Order: Australia wants harm-doers restricted from Commonwealth workplaces

The Australian government is seeking to prohibit individuals who will harm Commonwealth frontline workers from accessing Commonwealth workplaces in a new bill.

The Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders Bill 2024 introduces a new Workplace Protection Order (WPO) that can be handed to a person who causes harm, or threatens to cause harm, to a Commonwealth worker or workplace.

The WPO aims to "stop a person from accessing a particular Commonwealth workplace or from contacting a specific worker if they have been violent, or aggressive in the past."

According to the government, a plan will be developed to ensure that people with WPOs can access government services safely and reduce the risk of harm. Non-compliance with the WPO will result in imprisonment for up to two years.

"A WPO aims to prevent future violence from happening," the government said in its media release. "A WPO will not stop someone from accessing government services and benefits."

Recommendation after stabbing attack

The new bill implements a recommendation from the Services Australia Security Risk Management Review, which was carried out following the stabbing attack on Airport West Services Australia officer Joeanne Cassar in May last year.

"What happened to Jo was abhorrent and unacceptable. This law will help make sure it never happens again," said Minister for Government Services Bill Shorten MP in a statement.

"Everyone deserves to work in a safe and secure environment free from any threats of harm. This law will mean tougher penalties for anyone who threatens that and ensure workers can go to work and return safely."

The new bill adds to the Commonwealth government's efforts to beef up protections for its frontline staff.

Earlier this year, Parliament passed amendments that will hand a nine-year jail time to people who threaten to cause serious harm to a Commonwealth frontline worker. Those who cause actual harm to a Commonwealth frontline staff may be imprisoned for 13 years.

Union welcomes proposed legislation

Meanwhile, the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) welcomed the proposed legislation by the government.

"The CPSU has been pleased to see this groundbreaking legislation introduced to prioritise worker safety as an integral part of public service delivery," said Melissa Donnelly, CPSU National Secretary, in a statement.

In Australia, incidents of violence and aggression against Commonwealth frontline workers have been increasing, with 1,692 serious incidents recorded in Services Australia's face-to-face services between July 2023 and July 2024.

"The reality is that these staff deal with incidents of physical violence, threats, and verbal abuse in the course of their work," Donnelly said. "It's crucial that staff are able to be safe from any acts of violence and threats to their safety."