A trial examining the suitability of stab-resistant vests for NSW paramedics has begun, more than three years after Steven Tougher was stabbed to death on duty, but his father Jeff says little has changed for frontline worker safety.
Charles Sturt University, which received NSW Ambulance grant funding to investigate the feasibility of the vests, confirmed the first phase of the project is under way. A university spokesman said researchers were working with an Australian developer on a design tailored to paramedic duties, with controlled simulations being used to assess whether the vests restricted movement before field trials began. A NSW Ambulance spokeswoman said findings from the field trials would inform a broader strategy for the prevention of occupational violence.
Steven Tougher, 29, was fatally stabbed 55 times outside a McDonald’s restaurant in Campbelltown in 2023 while working as a paramedic. His killer was found not criminally responsible on mental health grounds. In the aftermath, Jeff Tougher launched the Steven’s Law campaign, calling for stab-resistant vests, body-worn cameras, tougher penalties for assaults on frontline workers and a comprehensive public awareness campaign.
He has visited ambulance stations across NSW, met more than 1000 paramedics, distributed 4000 campaign bumper stickers and collected 99,733 signatures, which he presented to NSW Parliament. The NSW government rejected mandatory minimum sentences on the grounds they could undermine judicial discretion, while the rollout of body-worn cameras remains under consideration.
“Three-and-a-half years since what happened to my son and realistically, nothing has changed. Paramedics and frontline workers are no safer today than they were back then,” Jeff Tougher said. He said he was not demanding paramedics wear protective vests throughout their shifts, but wanted them inside ambulances so staff could put them on when they believed a situation presented a risk. “It’s just about having this option available when they need to,” he said.
Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research data showed there were 1316 assaults in NSW hospitals and healthcare settings in the year to June. Jeff Tougher said almost every paramedic he had spoken to during his campaign had expressed support for Steven’s Law. The NSW Ambulance spokeswoman said paramedics had full support not to enter a scene, or to withdraw from a situation assessed to be unsafe.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The trial could lead to mandatory availability of stab-resistant vests for NSW paramedics, potentially reducing fatalities and injuries from workplace violence.
- The outcome will test whether the state government's approach to frontline worker safety meets public and family expectations after a high-profile murder.
- Broader implications for emergency worker safety policy across Australia, as similar campaigns in other states watch the NSW result.
Background
Steven Tougher was a 29-year-old paramedic stabbed to death in Campbelltown in 2023. His father Jeff launched the Steven's Law campaign seeking four safety measures. The NSW government rejected mandatory minimum sentences but funded a feasibility trial of stab-resistant vests through Charles Sturt University.
Key Perspectives
Jeff Tougher: Says little has changed for paramedic safety in three and a half years, and wants vests available in ambulances for when paramedics judge a situation risky.
NSW Ambulance: A spokeswoman said paramedics have full support not to enter or to withdraw from an unsafe scene, and that field trial findings will inform a broader violence prevention strategy.
What to Watch
- Whether the Charles Sturt University field trials conclude that stab-resistant vests are workable for paramedic duties.
- If the NSW government proceeds with a broader rollout of the vests and resolves the status of body-worn cameras.
- Whether Jeff Tougher's campaign gains further political traction, especially with an election approaching.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedA trial examining the suitability of stab-resistant vests for NSW paramedics has begun.The Age - Latest News: “a trial examining the suitability of stab-resistant vests for NSW paramedics is finally under way”
- SupportedThe trial began more than three years after Steven Tougher was murdered on duty.The Age - Latest News: “more than three years after his son Steven was murdered while on duty”
- SupportedJeff Tougher says frontline workers are no safer than before his son's murder.The Age - Latest News: “Paramedics and frontline workers are no safer today than they were back then”
- SupportedCharles Sturt University received NSW Ambulance grant funding to investigate the vests' feasibility.The Age - Latest News: “Charles Sturt University, which received NSW Ambulance grant funding to investigate the feasibility of the vests”
- SupportedCharles Sturt University confirmed the project's first phase is under way.The Age - Latest News: “Charles Sturt University, which received NSW Ambulance grant funding to investigate the feasibility of the vests, confirmed the first phase of the project was under way.”
- SupportedResearchers are working with an Australian developer on a vest design tailored to paramedic duties.The Age - Latest News: “A university spokesman said researchers were working with an Australian developer on a design tailored to paramedic duties.”
- SupportedControlled simulations are assessing whether the vests restrict movement before field trials begin.The Age - Latest News: “Controlled simulations were being used to assess whether the vests restricted movement, before field trials began.”
- SupportedJeff Tougher said, “Three-and-a-half years since what happened to my son and realistically, nothing has changed. Paramedics and frontline workers are no safer today than they were back then.”The Age - Latest News: ““Three-and-a-half years since what happened to my son and realistically, nothing has changed. Paramedics and frontline workers are no safer today than they were back then,” he said.”
- SupportedJeff Tougher said, “It’s just about having this option available when they need to.”The Age - Latest News: ““It’s just about having this option available when they need to,” he said.”
- SupportedSteven Tougher was fatally stabbed 55 times.The Age - Latest News: “Steven Tougher, 29, was fatally stabbed 55 times outside a McDonald’s restaurant in Campbelltown in 2023 while working as a paramedic.”
- SupportedTougher's killer was found not criminally responsible on mental health grounds.The Age - Latest News: “His killer, Jordan James Fineanganofo, was found not criminally responsible on mental health grounds.”
- SupportedThere were 1,316 assaults in NSW hospitals and healthcare settings in the year to June, according to Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research data.The Age - Latest News: “Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research data showed there were 1316 assaults in NSW hospitals and healthcare settings in the year to June.”