University of technology sydney, Public university in Ultimo, Australia

Sydney, June 21 The government of Australia New South Wales (NSW) state on Wednesday announced that it will introduce a new bill to Parliament to impose tougher penalties on those who assault retail workers.According to the NSW government, the bill will introduce three offences to the state's Crime Act, reports Xinhua news agency.The reforms make it an offence to assault, throw a missile at, stalk, harass or intimidate a retail worker in the course of the worker's duty, even if no actual bodily harm is caused to the worker, with a maximum penalty of 4 years' imprisonment; assault a retail worker in the course of the worker's duty and cause actual bodily harm to the worker, with a maximum penalty of 6 years' imprisonment; and wound or cause grievous bodily harm to a retail worker in the course of the worker's duty, being reckless as to causing actual bodily harm to the worker or another person, with a maximum penalty of 11 years' imprisonment.Under the new bill, physical and verbal attacks on a retail worker could lead to a maximum penalty of four years' imprisonment, while 11-year imprisonment is applicable if physical injury is involved.The state government cited a survey from the McKell Institute, which showed that a staggering 85 percent of retail workers in Australia have been abused or assaulted at work."The new offences will carry more severe penalties than general assault provisions, and send a strong message that this behaviour is unacceptable," said NSW Attorney General Michael Daley.Australian Retailers Association (ARA), the country's peak retail body, welcomed NSW's new legislation, as it is in response to the growing prevalence of customer aggression and assaults.ARA CEO Paul Zahra praised the NSW Government's commitment to protecting retail workers and consulting with industry via the ARA on the development of the initiative."We've seen a frightening escalation in retail crime, where it is now becoming a matter of life-or-death for workers simply trying to do their job," Zahra said."It is shocking that in recent months in different locations across the country, we've seen several retail workers stabbed in addition to the broader issue of staff being harassed, intimidated, and physically assaulted.Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

University Of Technology SydneyFOLLOW

University of technology sydney, Latest News

Dubai, June 24 Former skipper Ricky Ponting predicts that an unchanged Australia will take on an England side ... ...

New Delhi, June 23 Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has revealed that he was approached for the role ... ...

Melbourne [Australia], June 22 : Former Australia skipper and batting great Ricky Ponting said that England batter Joe Root, ... ...

London, June 22 Australia head coach Andrew McDonald believes Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith will undoubtedly have more ... ...

London, June 22 Legendary Australia wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist believes that Jonny Bairstow can benefit hugely by going back ... ...

Sydney, June 22 Australia's cyber regulator on Thursday issued a legal notice to Elon Musk-run Twitter, seeking information ... ...

Birmingham, June 21 Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes Australias method has worked against England as they won ... ...

Sydney, June 21 The government of Australia New South Wales (NSW) state on Wednesday announced that it will ... ...