Stronger Laws Against Emergency Worker Attacks

This act of senseless violence against a paramedic today is horrific.

My thoughts are with the victim and his loved ones and I thank Victoria Police for their swift work in finding this alleged offender.

Every day our police and paramedics put their lives on the line to ensure the safety of Victorians.

Our laws must be as strong as possible to make sure they get home safely every single day.

That’s why we will further strengthen our emergency worker harm laws.

Under these laws, which were first strengthened by Labor, people who attack and injure emergency workers on duty must receive a custodial sentence.

Victims and union representatives have raised the issue of loopholes in the law, potentially undermining the protections emergency workers deserve.

We commit to fixing it. We will ask the Victorian Law Reform Commission to review the definition of “on duty” and ensure there are no loopholes.

Emergency workers put themselves in harm's way every day for Victorians.

If the law protecting them is not working as intended, it must be fixed.