Western Australia bans violent people from shops under new law

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 09:32 · Archive

Western Australia has passed legislation allowing shops to ban violent and aggressive people from premises for up to two years.

Western Australia has passed legislation allowing shops and businesses to ban violent and aggressive people from their premises. The new law comes into effect during the busy Christmas period and allows employers or shopping centres to apply through the courts to ban violent adults for up to two years, or children for 12 months. Court-ordered bans will be enforceable by WA Police, with persistent breaches resulting in penalties of up to five years' imprisonment.

Attorney General Tony Buti said retail workers and shoppers are entitled to safely go about their business without encountering threats, violence and anti-social behaviour. "That's why we introduced a new offence for assaults on retail workers with tough penalties and have now passed legislation to keep thugs away from stores," he said.

Woolworths reported over 850 incidents of violence at its Western Australian stores in 2025, a 25 per cent increase compared to the previous year. The retailer's head of violence prevention, Sarah Faorlin, said similar laws had proven effective elsewhere. "In the ACT, there has been a 92 per cent reduction in re-offending among repeat offenders subject to an order, and South Australia has achieved a 100 per cent reduction," she said.

How it is being reported

• Woolworths releases CCTV footage of violent attacks on retail workersShops and businesses will be able to ban violent and aggressive people from the premises under a new law about to come into effect just in time for the busy Christmas period.Perth Now · 15 Oct, 09:01
• Woolworths releases CCTV footage of violent attacks on retail workersShops and businesses will be able to ban violent and aggressive people from the premises under a new law about to come into effect just in time for the busy Christmas period.The West Australian · 15 Oct, 09:01

In this story: Western Australia · Woolworths · Tony Buti · Sarah Faorlin · Australian Capital Territory · South Australia

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem