Joint Statement - Liberals and Nationals will immediately protect emergency service workers

Joint Statement – Liberals and Nationals will immediately protect emergency service workers

Georgie Crozier, Shadow Minister for Ambulance

James Newbury, Shadow Attorney-General

Friday 1 May 2026 

For too long, a loophole in the law has left our emergency services workers exposed to violence, whilst offenders walk away without consequences.

At the moment, if a paramedic, nurse or other frontline worker takes a break during a long shift, the law may not protect them – that’s not right.

Despite repeated calls from the health sector, emergency services workers and legal experts, the Allan Labor Government has failed to act.

Yesterday, instead of fixing the problem, Premier Jacinta Allan said the loophole would be ‘reviewed’.

Victorians do not need another review. They need action.

The Liberals and Nationals will show leadership and act.

During the upcoming Parliament sitting period we will introduce a Private Members Bill to close this loophole and ensure our emergency services workers are protected at all times.

Shadow Attorney-General, James Newbury, said: “Our emergency service workers deserve more than another review. How offensive.”

“For too long, Jacinta Allan has been sitting on her hands refusing to fix a flaw in the law which has meant that emergency service workers have been violently attacked and the criminal attackers have not faced proper consequences.”

“The Liberals and Nationals will not only fix this law, but we will also introduce a new law into Parliament in coming weeks that will immediately protect these frontline workers. The big question is – will every Labor Member vote against these urgently needed laws?”

Shadow Minister for Ambulance Services, Georgie Crozier, said tougher penalties were needed to crack down on assaults on frontline health workers.

“No one, let alone a frontline health worker should face this kind of violence.”

“We need tougher penalties for anyone who attacks paramedics and other health care workers. They protect us, the law should protect them.”

Georgie Crozier, Shadow Minister for Ambulance

James Newbury, Shadow Attorney-General