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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-09-07 Daily Xml
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Retail Workers

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:36): My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector. Will the minister update the council on the government's election commitment to provide better protections for retail workers from abuse at work?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:37): I thank the honourable member for his question and his very longstanding interest in, and advocacy for, workers in South Australia. It is unacceptable that people face potential violence and abuse in the workplace. We know that, for many retail workers, that sort of abuse is all too common.

We saw this particularly at the height of the COVID pandemic. Retail workers were among those who, during COVID, went to work day in and day out, without the option of working from home, and continued to provide essential services through the toughest of restrictions. Not only that, many became COVID marshals, often being required to enforce directions, such as mask wearing, social distancing and other restrictions for customers. I think everyone remembers the pictures of the hoarding of things like toilet paper and the long queues and the frustrations that many had and took out upon people in the retail sector. These were especially tough times for retail workers, who had to deal with some pretty difficult and horrific situations.

We went to the election with a very clear policy: we would increase the penalty for those who abuse retail workers. I am pleased to say that we have delivered on this commitment. Last week, I announced that regulations had come into effect to increase penalties for those who assault retail workers. People convicted of basic assault against retail workers performing their duties can now face up to five years in prison—an increase on the previous two years. Those convicted of assault causing harm against retail workers performing their duties can now face up to seven years in prison—an increase from three.

Our government is sending a very clear message to the community that threatening or abusing retail workers is completely out of line and unacceptable. There is a real need for this change. I am advised that the data shows an average of 50 assaults a month taking place in retail settings. These are workers who are often among some of the lower paid workers in our community and who often work in casual or insecure work. That they then face higher rates of assault in the workplace is disturbing, and it is something we are acting upon.

When I announced these changes last week, I was pleased to be joined by a retail worker in Rundle Mall, as well as a representative of their union, the SDA. We have worked closely with those representing workers in developing these changes. I am very pleased to be delivering upon this important election commitment.

As I pointed out yesterday, it stands in stark contrast to the former government. Upon coming to government, the Liberal Party broke election commitment after election commitment after election commitment. People remember the ironclad promise for a tram to do a right-hand turn that was broken almost immediately after coming into government—almost immediately.

We saw the GlobeLink proposal that was before the election with great fanfare from some who were then on this side of this chamber—

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Point of order: the relevance to the original question is very hard to see.

The PRESIDENT: The minister can answer the question as he sees fit.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: I know those opposite are scared of the truth. They are scared of the truth and they will do anything to try to silence us.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: But we will not be silenced. I know those opposite don't like being reminded of how often they broke their election promises. They don't like it and they will do anything to try to stop us talking about it, but as we outlined yesterday, in the 41-page secret, damning report, the secret, damning report—

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Point of order: the minister is wasting everyone's question time with profligate nonsense.

The PRESIDENT: It is not a point of order. However, I am watching the clock. Minister, you have a Dorothy Dixer that you are working your way through, it's not going to be open-ended, but please continue.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: I will finish up, again noting how disturbed, worried and scared the now Liberal opposition are about being reminded of their failures.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: I will quote, just quickly before I finish up, from that 41-page secret election report into the Liberals' last term in government. In terms of broken—

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: Point of order: this is getting beyond a joke. Come on, start talking about yourself.

The PRESIDENT: Sit down. It is not a point of order.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: Relevance.

The PRESIDENT: It is not a point of order, but the minister will conclude his remarks so we can move on. Minister, I am watching the clock, can you please wind this up.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: Thank you, sir. I was not aware of which number standing order 'beyond a joke' was from, but I understand that. I will just finish up with one quote from the 41-page secret election report, that the cancellation of this election commitment cost the Liberal Marshall government economic credibility very early on in their term of office. That's why it is so important that we act on our election commitments, in vast contrast to the former Liberal government.

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