Queensland police arrest 230 over alcohol-related violence
CCTV captures the moment a Sunshine Coast bar patron is felled by a single punch, but controversial magistrate Bernadette Callaghan did not record a conviction or impose a custodial sentence.
VIOLENCE has marred the Easter long weekend in Queensland, with police arresting 230 people overnight for alcohol-fuelled attacks.
Brisbane led the way, recording 82 arrests while 68 people were arrested in Central Queensland and 45 in the South East Region.
Officers also made 12 arrests in the north of the state.
In one incident, a man, 30, has been charged with allegedly glassing another man at a party in Brisbane’s northern suburbs.
The Wavell Heights man allegedly hit a 24-year-old man from behind with a bottle before he fled a Carseldine residence.
Police attended the Dorville Rd incident about 11pm, where the 24-year-old was nursing a cut above his right eye.
The 30-year-old is scheduled to appear in Pine Rivers Magistrate Court on May 12.
Deputy Commissioner Ross Barnett said the operation had been effective but said the results were not encouraging.
“It seems timely to remind to people that it is always better to walk away from a situation and cool off,” Mr Barnett said.
“It was disappointing to see that police were called to 20 assault incidents as part of Operation Unite, with nine of these in Brisbane and seven in the South Eastern Region.”
According to Mr Barnett, officers also performed 4548 Random Breath Tests across the state last night, recording 23 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol.
“Think the drink, as alcohol effects can differ from person to person. Most importantly, do not drink and drive.”
Operation Unite, an Australian and New Zealand-wide operation has run over four nights with police out in force to tackle crime resulting from alcohol misuse in public.
It will wrap up tomorrow morning.
Earlier, The Sunday Mail reported that more than 1700 Queenslanders have logged on to have their say on the Newman Government’s plan to help cut down on alcohol-fuelled violence by punishing offenders rather than cutting drinking hours with more than 75 per cent approving the move.
But a group of experts assembled to lobby the Newman Government to follow Newcastle’s lead and close pubs and clubs earlier say punishing offenders more will not work.
Feedback on Premier Campbell Newman’s Safe Night Out Strategy, which includes a new coward’s punch offence, a trial of “sober safe centres” for intoxicated people and education instead of restricted hours, closes tomorrow after The Sunday Mail revealed the plans last month.
If supported, the measure will be trialled for a year.
So far, about 1705 people have completed an online survey on the plan and the preliminary results show more than three-quarters believed the strategy provided a “comprehensive range of responses that are likely to be effective in addressing alcohol and drug-related violence”, with 36 per cent strongly supporting the strategy and 41 per cent indicating they support it.
More than 80 per cent gave their support to measures including compulsory alcohol and drug education for students in years 7 to 12, tougher penalties for those affected by alcohol and drugs, and compulsory drug and alcohol counselling and community service for offenders.
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Codes of conduct for pubs and clubs, patrons and police were also popular – 67 per cent of respondents strongly supported the move and 25 per cent indicated their support.
Premier Campbell Newman’s Safe Night Out Strategy has attracted a huge response. Source: News Corp Australia
“It’s refreshing to see the support from many Queenslanders whose feedback suggests we’ve got the right mix when it comes to curbing drug and alcohol-fuelled violence throughout our state,” Premier Campbell Newman said.
But Queensland’s Coalition for Action on Alcohol (QCAA) failed the plan, passing just six of 15 strategies, including three which only just passed.
In a submission to the Government, the coalition instead called for a 12-month trial of the Newcastle model which includes a staggered lockout system and drink restrictions, among other initiatives to help reduce alcohol-fuelled violence.
“All the evidence tells us that if we want to reduce alcohol harms, we need to be prepared to introduce measures that target the drinking environment,” QCAA chairman Professor Jake Najman said.
“That means targeting the price, promotion and availability of alcohol, and the Premier must be brave enough to do that if he is genuine in his desire to improve the health and safety of the people of Queensland.”
Source: courier mail - 20th April 2014
