The Australian Retail Council (ARC) is urging the Western Australian Parliament not to let another sitting week pass without progressing laws to protect retail workers from repeat offenders.
The Retail Barring Orders Bill 2025 passed the Legislative Assembly six months ago and remains stuck in the Legislative Council.
ARC CEO Chris Rodwell said Parliament has another opportunity this week to get the legislation moving.
“Last week was an opportunity to progress these important protections, but the Parliament did not get to them. This week cannot be another missed opportunity,” Mr Rodwell said.
“Retail workers continue to face abuse, threats and violence from repeat offenders. They should not have to keep waiting for laws specifically designed to protect them from these criminals.”
Latest figures provided by the WA Government show 679 people have been charged with assaulting a retail worker since the specific offence came into effect in July 2024.
Separate WA Police figures have identified more than 1,100 repeat retail-theft offenders who had already been processed for at least two retail-theft offences in the preceding 12 months.
The proposed RBO framework would allow courts to ban repeat offenders from retail premises for up to two years. Serious breaches involving harm or fear, or persistent breaches of an order, could attract penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment.
“We know there is a cohort of repeat offenders who keep coming back. Retailers need a practical mechanism to stop them returning before their behaviour escalates and another worker is threatened or assaulted,” Mr Rodwell said.
ARC has also strongly advocated for urgent interim barring orders to provide immediate protection while applications for longer-term court orders are determined.
“We welcome the inclusion of interim barring orders in the current proposal. They are a sensible and practical safeguard that can provide immediate protection while the full court process is underway,” Mr Rodwell said.
“If someone poses an ongoing risk to workers, retailers should not have to wait months for a final order before that person can be stopped from returning.
“South Australia and the ACT already have workplace protection order models that include interim orders. Western Australia now has an opportunity to put in place the same kind of immediate protection for retail workers.
Mr Rodwell said retailers are ready to work with the WA Government and law enforcement to implement these laws.
“Every further delay leaves retail workers exposed to repeat offenders these laws are designed to keep out of stores, supermarkets and shopping centres,” he said.
“Western Australia has already taken strong action on retail crime, including introducing a specific offence for assaulting retail workers and tougher penalties that expose serial shoplifters to jail. We now need to finish the job with Retail Barring Orders.
“We urge all sides of politics to make this a priority and pass the legislation this week.”
About us: Australian Retail Council (ARC) represents a $444 billion sector that employs 1.4 million Australians across metropolitan, regional, and remote communities – making retail the largest private sector employer in the country and a significant contributor to the Australian economy. Our membership spans the full spectrum of Australian retail, from family-owned small and independent retailers that make up 95% of our membership, through to our largest national and international retailers that employ thousands of Australians and support both metropolitan and regional communities every day.
