Arabic version: المعارضة تقترح نشر ضباط خدمات الحماية في سبعة مستشفيات في ملبورن

According to ABC News, Victoria’s Liberal-National Coalition has pledged to deploy 70 Protective Services Officers across seven major hospitals if it wins government in the November election.

The proposed two-year pilot would place armed officers on shifts across 24 hours. Their duties would include providing an additional security presence, responding to serious incidents, helping guard prisoners and escorting hospital staff to their vehicles. The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne would be among the seven facilities involved.

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said PSOs would work alongside existing security and provide a visible deterrent intended to help patients and clinicians feel safe. She said the trial would help determine how hospitals could best be protected.

Reports tabled in the Victorian parliament at the end of 2025 recorded close to 24,000 violent incidents across dozens of public health services during the 2024-25 financial year. PSOs, introduced in 2011, have roles centred on safety at railway stations and have powers to apprehend, arrest, search and fine people in designated public-transport areas.

Medical Research Minister Anthony Carbines criticised the proposal, saying the opposition was focused on law and order in healthcare rather than investment in nurses, health workers and practitioners. Victorians are due to vote on Saturday, November 28.