Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-10-18 Daily Xml

Contents

Frontline Retail Workers

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:05): Supplementary: has the Attorney had an opportunity to monitor, following the increase in penalties in legislation, the actual penalties handed out by the courts for the offences committed?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:05): I thank the honourable member very much for his question. It is a very good question indeed. It is one that I did ask about when we announced the results of the compliance so far. We don't have information available about the effect it has had to date. As I have said, in the 12 months to 2023, I am informed a bit over 200—I think it's 215—criminal charges have been laid by SAPOL in relation to violence and aggression in the retail sector. The number of those that apply to the aggravated offence we just don't have figures on. I did ask that. I thank the honourable member for his question. It is one that I considered also.