Tasmanian frontline workers will now have stronger protections from assault following the passing of the Sentencing Amendment (Presumptive Sentencing for Assaults on Frontline Workers) Bill 2024 through the Legislative Council.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Guy Barnett, said the passing of the Bill sends a strong message that any assault on a frontline worker is unacceptable, and will not be tolerated in Tasmania.
“Our frontline workers do an amazing job for the community every single day, and these strong laws are a powerful deterrent that will give potential offenders a reason to think twice,” the Attorney-General said.
“This is the first legislation that mandates a minimum sentence to pass the Tasmanian Parliament in 10 years, and is a very positive outcome for frontline workers, and their families.
“It will ensure that anyone who assaults our frontline workers – be it child safety officers, our correctional services officers, our firies, our ambos, security guards, our health workers and more – will feel the full force of the law.
“The Government worked with many stakeholders from across Tasmania to ensure the successful outcome of this legislation, and I thank them for their work, particularly the Tasmanian Hospitality Association, the Tasmanian Small Business Council, the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Retail Association and the Tasmanian Bus Association.
“As a Government we committed to acting swiftly on this through our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future and I am proud we have delivered on this promise.”
The Bill has amended the Sentencing Act 1997 to provide for a presumption of minimum sentencing in relation to offences causing serious bodily harm to certain frontline workers.
This Bill will create a minimum sentencing presumption of six months imprisonment for assaults and other offences causing serious bodily harm against our Tasmanian frontline workers.
