Victoria’s troubled private security industry will be dramatically overhauled in a push to protect the public and boost conditions for thousands of poorly paid, poorly trained workers.
The changes, stemming from a review announced by Premier Daniel Andrews before the last election, will force the industry to accept an enforceable code of conduct, rigorous training rules and a simpler licensing regime.
A new phone line and website will also be established to handle complaints, while employers will face stricter rules to stop them dodging workplace responsibilities and underpaying workers through subcontracting and sham contracting.
The report follows a litany of concerns about the industry, including the use of excessive force, the improper use of security cameras, unsafe working conditions, links to criminal gangs, and bogus or substandard training. It also follows the use of private security guards to help run Victoria’s hotel quarantine program in 2020 – a decision blamed for sparking a major coronavirus outbreak that plunged Melbourne into a protracted lockdown.
Police Minister Lisa Neville said the government had agreed to adopt all of the report’s 21 recommendations over the next three years. “This important review gives us a road map to raise industry standards, improve safety of employees and the community and ensure workers are paid properly and fairly,” Ms Neville said.
The review found major gaps in the training of security staff, many of whom were employed by labour-hire companies without understanding the key requirements of their job.
The lack of training meant many workers were not equipped with the skills to safely defuse violent situations, particularly in venues serving alcohol, the review found.
It also suggested Victoria Police’s Licensing and Regulation Division get more staff to monitor the businesses registered to train private security guards, and conduct unannounced snap visits to check teaching standards and monitor exams.
Intelligent authentication provider Pangiam has partnered with Google Cloud to enhance security and screening at airports.
As part of the Dartmouth initiative, Pangiam will combine its security solutions with Google Cloud’s artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) tools, including the Vertex AI platform.
