Statement - Two-faced Ben Carroll blocks Workplace Protection Orders

Statement – Two-faced Ben Carroll blocks Workplace Protection Orders

James Newbury, Shadow Attorney-General

Wednesday 29 July 2026

Premier Ben Carroll and Labor have stunningly voted against introducing stronger laws to keep retail workers and shoppers safe, only one hour announcing their so-called commitment to the policy.

Today in Parliament, Ben Carroll and Labor voted against new laws introduced by the Liberals and Nationals to immediately establish a Workplace Protection Orders scheme to ban dangerous and aggressive individuals from retail settings. The vote occurred one hour after the Premier announced support for an orders regime.

This is the second time Ben Carroll and Labor have blocked the introduction of Workplace Protection Orders, voting down similar draft legislation in November 2025.

Instead, Ben Carroll’s rehashed commitment to introduce a scheme effective from July 2027 has been criticised by SDA Secretary, Michael Donovan, who today stated: “Certainly we hope it’ll be starting before July, if at all possible.. we want this in place as soon as it can possibly be put in place.”

Shadow Attorney-General, James Newbury, said: “Only one hour after announcing support for workplace protection orders the two-faced Premier has voted against laws that would have brought them in now. You cannot trust Ben Carroll. Only a Liberals and Nationals Government will introduce a strong workplace protection regime.

“Victoria doesn’t need another unelected Labor Premier, it needs a new government and a fresh start and that’s exactly what our Liberal and Nationals team has a plan to deliver.”