Alternatives to the 2am Lockout
Categories: 2am lockout, Greens
The Melbourne City Greens hosted a public forum on Thursday called “Beyond The Lockout“, as reported on Channel 9’s live cross on the 6 o’clock news. (right: Greens Lord Mayor Candidate Adam Bandt)
Attended by Licensees, consumers, members of Victoria Police, members of various drug and alcohol organisations, staffers for State Parliamentarians and a current Melbourne City Councillor, the meeting heard from four speakers before an extensive question and answer session and discussion.
As Peter Hitchener of Channel 9 reported, the meeting was called to look at alternatives to the 2am lockout, which had “descended into farce”.
Many ideas were raised, including ID scanners and breathalysers inside venues, by audience members*. But the most common response from attendees was that existing laws needed to be properly policed. Many also questioned the extent of the problem, with Adam Bandt citing the tabloid nature of the recent interest in the issue and likening the ill-conceived lockout regulations to “cracking a walnut with a sledgehammer”. That is not to say that there isn’t a problem: no meeting attendee was willing to deny that more should be done to ensure that the inner city is safer after dark.
The Greens, through consultation and a measured approach that hasn’t pandered to media frenzy, have prepared their Night-time Safety in the CBD policy, which was released on the weekend. It is the first of many policy statements that will be released in the lead-up to November’s council elections.
You can find the newly released policy here.
*Not Greens endorsed. For the official Greens response, read the policy above.