Laws to better protect New South Wales (NSW) frontline health workers could be on the cards after the fatal stabbing of a Sydney paramedic, with his family calling for tougher penalties.
The family of Steven Tougher, a 29-year-old father killed while taking a meal break during a night shift outside a Sydney McDonald’s last Friday, wants mandatory life sentences for those who kill anyone in the line of duty.
His colleague activated a duress alarm, sparking a police response in which 21-year-old Jordan Fineanganofo was tasered, arrested and later charged with murder.
Steven’s father, Jeff Tougher, is petitioning authorities for “Steven’s Law'', including a range of stronger measures to protect the service community in light of his son’s death.
“Laws like mandatory life sentences for killing anyone in the line of duty,” he wrote in an emotional Facebook post.
“A mandatory prison term for assaulting these people. Perhaps three years. Regardless of circumstance or state of mind.”
Tougher has talked with Premier Chris Minns and indicated he is on board with the suggestions.
“I’m asking for these laws to protect the service community, so they don’t have to look over their shoulder while they are performing CPR on an unconscious baby,” Tougher said.
NSW parliament last year passed legislation so people convicted of assaulting frontline emergency services workers, including paramedics, prison officers, hospital staff and firefighters, could face hefty fines and up to 14 years in jail.
Minns confirmed he talked with the family and had instructed the attorney-general and the Department of the Premier and Cabinet to look at potential changes to the law.“We are concerned that paramedics are not feeling safe about going to work,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“Policy change or legislative change may be required in NSW.”
There could also be changes to operational guidelines and resourcing for paramedics in the field.
“They want to make sure that his death wasn’t in vain.”
The Australian Paramedics Association said it was a tough time for a very close-knit workforce.“Paramedics quite often work in a hostile work environment, and an incident like this only heightens the awareness of the important job that we do,” NSW assistant secretary Brendan McIlveen said.
Health Minister Ryan Park promised to listen to and consult with the Tougher family, as well as Steven’s paramedic colleagues, about their experiences and what could be done to improve their safety.
Jessica Comish, a family friend and nurse who worked alongside Tougher, said the healthcare community remained devastated.
“It should never have happened, and it should never happen again. It was an abhorrent act,” she told AAP.
“If we can’t feel safe in our workplaces, how can we be expected to keep other people safe?”
NSW paramedic Lisa Laugher says her colleagues are on edge.
AMA NSW president Michael Bonning said violence against healthcare workers was all too common.
NSW Nurses and Midwives Association general secretary Shaye Candish said it was heartbreaking when a healthcare worker didn’t get to go home.
