New Crimes Act Bill Empowers Businesses to Arrest Shoplifters and Protect First Responders

The Government's Crimes Act Amendment Bill aims to strengthen law and order by granting businesses expanded powers to detain and arrest offenders, introducing harsher penalties for retail crime, assaults on first responders, and coward punches. The legislation includes new specific offences, an enhanced shoplifting infringement regime, and clarifies citizens' arrest powers, allowing intervention at any time and the use of reasonable force. These changes are designed to better protect retailers, frontline workers, and the public while closing legal loopholes related to trafficking and people smuggling.