New laws protecting the ACT’s police, firefighters and paramedics at their work have been foreshadowed by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Mick Gentleman.
Mr Gentleman said a new offence would be created to cover assaults against first responders and others for driving at police and their vehicles.
“We want to protect our first responders as they put themselves in harm’s way keeping our community safe,” Mr Gentleman said.
“Our police, firefighters and paramedics routinely attend emergency incidents and render assistance in volatile and dangerous situations where they are exposed to an increased risk of violence,” he said.
“The ACT Government will develop a new bill that will be considered for introduction in the ACT Legislative Assembly later this year.”
Mr Gentleman said the new offences reflected the growing concerns of the frequency and severity of assaults against police officers, firefighters and paramedics.
“A new specific offence would reflect the clear community expectation that these assaults are unacceptable, and is similar to reforms in other Australian jurisdictions.”
He said the new offences against driving at police officers or their vehicles would send a clear signal that those who rammed police will be held to account and face higher penalties.
“The creation of new driving offences would recognise that this behaviour places police and the broader community at serious risk of injury or death,” Mr Gentleman said.
