Kate Worden

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services

Media Release

Labor delivers for police and other emergency workers on spitting assaults

1 September 2022

Spitting on police and other frontline emergency workers is a vile act which now carries stronger penalties, delivered today in parliament by the Territory Labor Government.

Territory Labor today passed amendments to the Criminal Code and the Sentencing Act 1995, which include spitting as an aggravating factor for all assaults and an increase in penalties. Offenders who spit on police or emergency workers can now face up to 10 years in jail.

Spitting at workers is an offence which has been far too frequent. It places police, ambulance and other emergency workers at risk of long-term consequences from communicable diseases and can be a significant factor in stress and mental health concerns.

Strengthening these laws is another step forward in Territory Labor’s community safety initiatives which put victims first and deliver appropriate consequences for criminal acts.

The increase in penalties reflect the seriousness of spitting, especially in light of the risk of communicable diseases we’ve seen with the Covid pandemic, and sends a clear message this behaviour is unacceptable.

Police officers have a role in maintaining civil order and emergency workers respond at times of greatest community need. These frontline heroes shouldn’t face such dangers in fulfilling their duties.

Quotes from Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Kate Worden:

“We are a government that is delivering on our commitment to protect and support our hardworking police and emergency workers.

“We’re delivering on addressing police mental health and wellbeing, and now we have delivered stronger protection for all our first responders against the disgusting and dangerous practice of spitting.

“Police and emergency workers deserve a safer working environment and it’s our job to protect our vulnerable workers who every day put themselves on the frontline to protect and respond to our safety and welfare.

"It also recognises this behaviour is unacceptable and won’t be tolerated, and that the perpetrator must take responsibility.”

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