Minister welcomes fall in alcohol-fuelled violence
The Minister for Hospitality, George Souris, has welcomed the significant drop in the number of assaults on licensed premises announced in the latest report by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR).
“I believe these latest figures, together with the record low number of licensed venues on the latest violent venues list, shows that the Government’s policies are having a positive effect,” Mr Souris said.
The report said that over the first quarter of this year, the total number of assaults on licensed premises declined by 7.7 per cent. This represented a significant downward trend for both pubs (down 6.6%) and clubs (down 13.2%). The number of assaults with a glass/bottle remained stable.
Mr Souris pointed out that just over a year ago, the Government introduced the toughest licensing laws in Australia – known as the ‘Three Strikes Disciplinary Scheme’ and since its introduction, 47 licensed premises have incurred first strikes and one has incurred a second strike.
“This law has put licensees on notice to make stronger efforts to safeguard the public - as first and second strikes carry severe penalties, including restrictions on trading. A third strike can lead to the loss of a liquor licence for life.
This was supported by the Director of BOCSAR, Dr Don Weatherburn, who told Sydney radio: ‘This [three strikes] is beginning to pay dividends.I think people who realise that they could be prosecuted or lose their licence for serving alcohol to intoxicated people are now being much more restrained in their sale of alcohol and as a result there are fewer drunk people wandering around the streets and fewer assaults
“Policies such as three strikes; more police numbers with strengthened laws such as ‘Move On Powers’ and the new offence of ‘Intoxicated and Disorderly’; extending the freeze on new liquor licences in an expanded Kings Cross precinct and Darlinghurst; advertising and education campaigns, are showing positive signs,” Mr Souris said
He added that the latest violent venues list released last week and based on BOCSAR data for the second half of 2012, contains the lowest number of hotels and clubs since the scheme started in 2008 and confirms the Government’s policy on alcohol-fuelled violence is delivering results.
“The 224 incidents attributed to venues on the latest list were 60 fewer than the previous list, representing a 21 per cent reduction as well as a record low number of Level 1 and 2 premises.
“The Government is committed to do everything in its power to address the problem of alcohol-fuelled violence”.
Source: The Office of the Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing, 5 June 2013
