VIC - Australian Security Industry Association Ltd (ASIAL)

VIC News

Licensing & Regulation Division December Newsletter

The Licensing & Regulation Division December Newsletter includes advice and updates on fingerprinting, new sub-activity of 'guard With a Dog' and recent activity from the Compliance Enforcement Team. READ MORE

Inquiry into violence and security arrangements in Victorian hospitals

The final report into the enquiry into violence and security arrangements in Victorian hospitals and, in particular, emergency departments has been tabled into the Victorian Parliament.

ASIAL actively participated in the enquiry and in particular raised concerns over the Government’s intention to place armed Protective Security Officers into all hospital emergency departments.

The final report recommended that PSO’s should not be placed in emergency departments (recommendation 11), and that all security personnel employed in Victorian hospitals be fully licensed under the Private Security Act 2004 (recommendation 14).

The committee also recommended that a specific offence of assaulting, obstructing, hindering or delaying a hospital or health worker or a licensed security guard or emergency worker in the execution or performance of their duties be considered in Victoria (recommendation 5).

Many of the 39 recommendations reflect on the management of hospital security with regards to procedures, training, risk management considerations, CCTV, incident reporting & data collection, duress requirements, controlled access and egress and communication with experienced health care security officers. Read more

Finding into death with inquest

Following a recent inquest in Victoria, the Coroner recommended several changes regarding the recording of disciplinary proceedings held under the Private Security Act, the introduction of probationary licences for crowd controllers and the drug testing of crowd controllers following serious incidents.

The Victorian Justice Department has requested comment from the Security Industry regarding the recommendations.

ASIAL invites comments form members regarding the recommendations in preparation for an industry submission. Please respond to ASIAL at compliance@asial.com.au.

View Coroners finding and recommendations

ASIAL identifies concerns over Fingerprinting arrangements

In July/August ASIAL met with Victoria Police, Licensing & Regulation Division (LRD) and the Office of the Minister for Police & Emergency Services to raise concerns over arrangements regarding fingerprinting for the renewal of security licenses.

LRD has now advised that the following changes have been made:

• The regional sites of Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo have been opened up for appointments twice a week.
• In a short period of time Vic Pol will have 3 additional Livescan machines which will be operating at the World Trade Centre in addition to the 2 that are currently operating.
• Renewal notices are now going out earlier, having been extended from 8 to 10 weeks.
• The information going out with renewal notices (if read fully) now advises the applicant to submit the renewal application before the licence expires and send in the National Police Records Check separately.

What does it mean for individual security licence holders?

When you receive your renewal notice immediately book in for your fingerprints and complete the renewal process as a matter of priority. Pay for your licence, have your photograph taken, complete the paper work and return the documents as per the instructions to LRD and before the required date. When you receive your National Police Records Check you will be required to forward that to LRD.

More information is available on the LRD web site

Inquiry into violence and security arrangements in Victorian Hospitals

The Parliament of Victoria is conducting an inquiry into violence and security arrangements in Victorian Hospitals. Submissions are invited and will be referred to the Drugs and Crime Prevention committee for consideration. The inquiry will focus on the prevalence, severity and impact of violence in hospitals and in particular, emergency departments. The committee will also examine the appropriateness of Victoria Police Protective Service Officers in emergency departments. Submissions are required by Monday 27 June 2011.

MAKING A WRITTEN SUBMISSION TO A PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE

VIC Liquor Control Reform Act 2011

The Victorian Government has advised of the release of the Liquor Control Reform Act 2011. The amendments deal with the process and authority regarding ‘Barring Orders’, definition of ‘responsible person’, and reference and interpretation relating to the ‘vicinity of licensed premises’. Security Officers and Crowd Controllers do not fall under the definition of responsible persons for the purpose of the Act and the barring order authority. In the vicinity of licensed premises means a public place that is within 20 metres of the licensed premises but is not the licensed premises. The amendments in the form of the amendment bill is available for view.READ MORE

Victorian RTO's may require organisational restructure

Victorian RTO's remaining under the authority of their state regulator, the Victorian Registration & Qualifications Authority (VRQA), should enquire into the 'single-purpose entity requirements' which takes effect from 1 July 2011. This will require all 'for profit' RTO's under the Victorian Regulator (VRQA) to have education and training as its principal business. This new requirement has been introduced to facilitate Supreme Court appointment of administrators if and as necessary. These amendments do not effect RTO's under the national regulator (ASQA). You are advised to seek legal advice if your RTO remains under the VRQA and your organisational structure does not meet the single-purpose entity requirements. The amendments are included in the Education and Training Reform Amendment (Skills) Act 2010 which has been proclaimed with commencement dates identified to give adequate time for implementation. READ MORE

Revision of Private Security ACT

On 4th July 2011, revised legislation will come into effect that will increase the range of offences that 'disqualify' persons from holding a private security license (individual or business). READ MORE

Safeguard Victoria

The Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union (LMHU) in Victoria recently launched its Safeguard initiative.The campaign aims to assist clients in finding quality contractors. Among those who have already signed up to the initiative include ISS, MSS, Wilson Security, G4S and Glad Security. The Safeguard report raws on research conducted by the LHMU Security Union with tenants, clients and their employers. The survey involved 223 Victorian security officers and 194 respondents working in office buildings and other properties requiring contract security in Melbourne.

Among some of the report’s findings included:
• Significant growth in the private security industry has lead to a flood of rogue contractors to the market, setting off a ferocious price war and a race to the bottom.
• Many contractors are failing to properly train
their officers, while high turnover due to low pay
and insecure jobs also undermines standards.
• 80.4% of tenants, clients and their employees surveyed agreed that security officers in their buildings perform a vital role.
• 85.3% would be concerned about cut-price contractors being used in their building.

For more information visit www.safeguard.org.au

VIC - Parliamentary enquiry into strategies to reduce assaults in public places releases report

The Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee has released its report on strategies to reduce assaults in public places in Victoria. Among the 37 recommendations included:

That an offence of assaulting, obstructing, hindering or delaying a hospital, or health worker or a licensed security guard or emergency worker in the execution or performance of their duties, be enacted in Victoria.

That Victoria Police liaise with the Australian Security Industry Association Limited (ASIAL) to examine ways in which the police and the private security industry can collaborate more closely and work more effectively in addressing public order and security issues.

View the full report