New law to ban aggressive customers from

shops

June 2026 New South Australian laws now allow aggressive and violent customers to be banned from supermarkets and shopping centres for up to 12 months. Attorney-General Kyam Maher described the reforms as a nation- leading move aimed at protecting retail workers from stalking, harassment, threats and abuse. Businesses can apply for workplace protection orders, and offenders who breach them could face up to five years in jail. The laws, supported by the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (SDA), are already being used, with Woolworths Group submitting four applications for protection orders. SA SDA secretary Josh Peak said retail workers deserved to feel safe and should not fear abusive customers returning to stores. Retail worker Janine Hall said two colleagues were assaulted while performing bag checks, describing the attacks as “coward punches from behind”. She said abuse from customers occurs daily and hoped the new laws would make offenders think twice. Hurley Hotel Group managing director Peter Hurley welcomed the reforms, while Mr Maher noted similar laws exist in the ACT and are being considered in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.

Greek Tribune Adelaide, South Australia