ACT fights aggression
The ACT Government is running a campaign to combat rising violence and aggression towards staff.
In response to a disturbing surge in acts of aggression towards ACT government staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACT Government has initiated a new advertising campaign aimed at curbing abusive incidents.
The campaign targets the citizens of Canberra with the goal of reducing abusive behaviour towards public servants.
To address the issue, the government launched an advertising campaign featuring posters and signs displayed in various public spaces throughout the city.
The messages, such as “Aggression or violence. It's not part of the job”, highlight the unacceptability of mistreating public sector employees.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr, who spearheaded the campaign, says the mistreatment of government employees was a universal concern.
He recognised the vital role performed by tens of thousands of public servants who ensure the smooth functioning of the community and underscored their right to be treated with respect in the workplace.
The government reported a notable increase in reported cases of workplace violence, with Access Canberra alone documenting 113 incidents over the past year.
Chief Minister Barr acknowledged the challenge and called for change to address this concerning trend.