Premier Jacinta Allan is promising more tough sentences – today, setting her sights on retail crime.

Under new legislation, assaulting or threatening to assault retail workers, including taxi and Uber drivers, will attract a prison sentence of up to five years.

Secretary for the Victorian branch of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association, Michael Donovan, has welcomed the move on 3AW Breakfast.

Press PLAY to hear his full thoughts (including the point Ross Stevenson raised after the interview)

“It’s taken longer than we would’ve liked, but we’re very pleased that the government has acted,” Mr Donovan told Ross and Russ.

“We’d certainly like to see the tougher penalties in affect by Christmas time this year.”

Tom Elliott questions Jacinta Allan on whether she’ll step down if crime rate doesn’t drop

Image: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty