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Saturday, 22 November 2008

Police minister contradicts Commissioner on alcohol curfew

13/10/2008 7:18:00 PM.  | Gil Taylor with AAP

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Police minister Tony Kelly says big fines on venues over irresponsible serving of alcohol are a better option Police Commisioner Andrew Scipione's push for a blanket bans on  drinking hours .

Mr Scipione says there is a body of research linking extended trading hours with violence, and warns the "drink to get drunk culture must stop".

"All I'm doing is listening to the community, they tell me enough is enough" Mr Scipione today told Fairfax Radio Network.

He said alcohol-related problems in Newcastle had decreased after pubs were ordered to shut by 3am and not allow people entry after 1am.

But NSW police minister Tony Kelly has told 2GB's Philip Clark there are plenty of other ways to cut down on violence.

"Andrew Scipione has also spoken about a whole host of other issues that would help."

"I certainly don't see the need for those times...There's a lot of other ways to work this."

Mr Kelly said new police powers to close dangerous and poorly controlled venues have had a big effect.

"The Tamworth hotel that was shut down a couple of weeks ago lost $18,00. Now that's a fairly hefty penalty for not doing the right thing.

"Next time the police tell them to control the alcohol intake in their hotel, then they'll tow the line."

David Costello from Clubs NSW agreed that venues should be treated individually according to how responsibly they serve alcohol.

"That would be a much better approach than punishing absolutely every venue because just a few can't meet their responsibilities."

"Take action against those that can't meet their responsibilities and allow those that provide good responsible facilities to be maintained."

COMMENTS

Monday, 13 October 2008

Seems Sydney is developing some of the ugly side of 24 hr liquor trading. Taking a stroll early on a Sat or Sun morning in Melbourne is a sight to behold. In some area's where all night clubs are concentrated the scenes get even less palatable. Vandalism and assaults are common. The culture of all night binge drinking clubs is detremental to community, many young people too scared to enter some of these area's after dark. The sooner they restrict trading hours, the healthier for all involved.

Posted by: susan lawe, gippsland

 

Monday, 13 October 2008

Who'd want to stay at a club all night anyway? They overcharge on everything and the security teams are all bullies. We might want to raise the price of alcohol through higher taxes as a bit of a disincentive to drinkers to go in the first place.

Posted by: Archie Bolds, Philip Bay

 

Monday, 13 October 2008

Of course they are going to say that it will not stop the violence. They have to make money and taking money from pissed idiots at 5am in the morning is easy money. But, we all know by closing at 2am, or even earlier, WILL stop the alcohol fuelled violence. The State Govt just has to have the gonads to inplement the change. (DO NOT HOLD ONES BREATH AT THIS STAGE).

Posted by: David ., Sydney

 

Monday, 13 October 2008

I don't understand why people that want to go out and enjoy a drink and have a good time should be punished by those few idiots that want to go out and cause problems. I believe that pubs and clubs need to target these problem seekers rather then having a blanket ban for the whole community I'm sure if you ask owners and workers at the venues they would agree that the majority of people are fine and its only the minority that cause the trouble. There the ones that should be targeted and removed

Posted by: Graeme Nixon, Perth

 

Monday, 13 October 2008

This is the way labor wants to fix every problem in NSW. Biger fines. Let people break all the laws we made so we can make some money. Parking fines, speading fines , using water fines, burning rubish fines. You name it they have fine for everything. But trying to solve the problem in the first place? No! That is too hard and it will not help with revenue raising. Behave and you'll be fine!!! Or Fined?What is wrong with closing drink venues earlyer? Try it , and if it does not work change it.

Posted by: Happy Stein, Earlwood

 

Monday, 13 October 2008

In Qld, we have "no more, thats the law". Once you show signs of INTOX. the Law says No MORE. However, Most suffer the Supervisor who says, they're fine, keep serving. So yes, get heavier on the fines. Also there are laws about being Intoxicated in Public, perhaps if some were picked up and Slotted for the night/Day, a few times, they'd change Habits. The LAWS are in place, just try exercising them with vigour, Habits grow from the LATITUDE given, by lazy attitudes in the sector responsible.

Posted by: Nick Again, Maryborough

 

Monday, 13 October 2008

Im sick of being punished for alcohol related violence. Why should shift workers be banned from enjoying a beer or two when they finish work at 3am in the morning. How about we close roads during peak hour to stop traffic accidents. Fine for me im asleep during peak hour! A better solution is to get tougher on law breakers, not punish regular people with blanket closures. My 3am is your 5pm, or is my life less important than 9-5 workers?

Posted by: Peter Kovaluns, Hunters Hill

 

Tuesday, 14 October 2008

More policing and heavier fines, letting a few sleep it off in the lock-up for at least a couple of nights, bread and water only, bring back the Cat O Nine tails and all, well why not sounds, terrific getting all the scum out of the bars and off the streets, but who is going to pay for all those extra coppers on night shifts, the Paddy Wagons, the Court processing as it'll likely go that way as the scum will not pay fines, so I suppose late night licensing fees can go up along with drinks!

Posted by: Neville Simms, Sydney

 

Tuesday, 14 October 2008

There is no way the ALP will cut into its own income. They wouldn't stop alcohol sales during the Cronulla riots, why now?

Posted by: Happy Fun Ball, Carramar/Sydney

 
 

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