Changes to mandatory minimum jail sentencing to improve the safety of frontline workers

Under the current legislation, mandatory minimum sentences of six months' jail only apply to offences resulting in serious bodily harm to police officers.

The bill, tabled in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, seeks to extend the existing provisions to cover ambulance officers, child safety officers, correctional services and community corrections officers, nurses, midwives, medical orderlies and hospital attendants, in addition to police officers.

Attorney-General Elise Archer said laws must provide protection for frontline workers who are routinely placed in high-risk and dangerous situations.

"Frontline workers provide essential services to the Tasmanian community and any threatening behaviour such as violence, being aggressive, or resorting to violence is totally unacceptable," Ms Archer said.

"It is a legitimate and an appropriate role by government to ensure frontline workers are protected and supported by law.

"Our dedicated health professionals, in particular, are the powerhouse of our health system. A lot of the time these health workers are dealing with people who are affected by alcohol and drugs, and who are experiencing heightened emotions, and this is when they are most likely to be threatening, or worse still, violent.

"It is unacceptable for a corrections staff member to also be assaulted while undertaking a very important role in our community."

Ms Archer said the legislation would be debated in the House of Assembly later this week.