Criminal Offence for Assaulting, Stalking or Harassing Retail Workers
Crimes Legislation Amendment (Assaults on Retail Workers) Bill 2023
1st House
2nd House
Law
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
A person commits an offence if they assault, stalk, harass or throw a missile at a retail worker; the maximum penalty is 4 years in prison.
The penalty rises to 6 years in prison if the assault causes actual bodily harm.
The penalty rises to 11 years in prison if the person recklessly causes grievous bodily harm.
These offences apply even if the worker is not on duty; the act must be a result of or retaliation for their work.
Most of these charges must be heard in a summary court; the prosecutor or defendant can choose a trial by indictment for assaults causing actual bodily harm.