The Opposition will crack down on people who attack and seriously injure police officers on duty by making sure that they are given a custodial sentence.
New legislation will be introduced into the Parliament in the new year which will provide for a minimum and mandatory custodial sentence for assaulting a police officer.
The legislative reform follows a recent court decision which saw an offender with a history of assaulting police, violently attack a pregnant police officer, and walk away without serving a single day in jail or paying a single cent in penalty.
Leader of the Opposition, Vincent Tarzia said that this decision outraged both police and the community.
“Enough is enough. Our police officers should not have to tolerate violent assaults as part of their job,” Mr Tarzia said.
“No one should be able to assault a police officer and get away with it.
“We will introduce tough new laws that crack down on people who attack and injure our brave frontline police officers.”
Shadow Minister for Police, Jack Batty, said the new laws are being introduced after a nearly 40% increase in assaults on police under the Malinauskas Labor Government in the midst of a police recruitment and retention crisis.
“Assaults on police are skyrocketing but the Government is not taking any action,” Mr Batty said.
“I want to send a clear message to any coward thinking of harming our police – assault a police officer and you will go to jail.
“Our police put their lives on the line to keep us safe. They should never be treated as punching bags.
“We are taking action to make sure that sentences for these despicable crimes are more in line with community expectations.
“If we want to have any chance of recruiting more police officers, we need to do everything we can to look after serving police officers.
In 2019, the former Liberal Government strengthened our laws to make assaults against police and other frontline emergency workers an aggravated offence, with a maximum penalty of 15 years.
Mandatory minimum custodial sentences of between 3 and 6 months for assaulting police are currently in place in Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. The Opposition will consult with key stakeholders over the summer parliamentary recess on its proposed reforms.
