Bill creates harsher penalties for attacks on first responders

its second reading in parliament on Wednesday evening.

The bill drew ire after initially failing to include nurses, midwives and other health care workers but an amendment was made to the Protection for First Responders Bill.

Nurses and medical professionals working in emergency departments look set to be added to the legislation and the amendment will be debated in the committee stage.

NZ First MP Darroch Ball previously told Stuff that during the Covid-19 crisis, incidents of violence, specifically increased spitting towards emergency healthcare workers, had been reported.

‘‘It became clear that especially those nurses working in our ED wards need this protection.’’

On Wednesday, he said the new offence of ‘injuring a first responder or corrections officer with intent’ would target people who attacked paramedics, police, firefighters and corrections officers.

‘‘This law is one step closer to reality.’’

It backed first responders who put their safety on the line, in urgent, critical and life saving situations in order to protect the public, he said.

‘‘It is our responsibility to ensure that our first responders are safe when they do their job,’’ Ball said.

‘‘There have been an increased number of assaults against paramedics, police, corrections officers and nurses.

‘‘We as a society need to draw a line in the sand and make it clear that we do not accept nor do we take lightly any assault on our first responders.’’