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  • Preparing for Schoolies Week 2014

    The three week graduation festival known as “Schoolies” Week is fast approaching and as school leavers around the country make plans about how they will be spending it, it is also crucial that we take into consideration safety and the importance of being responsible while we’re enjoying ourselves.

    According to popular schoolies website Schoolies.com while The Gold Coast is Oz’s most popular schoolie destination, there are a number of other destinations such as Byron Bay and Airlie Beach that also draw a large schoolie crowd. Each destination has a number of exciting activities to offer but one thing that school leavers at all destinations have in common is the temptation to drink and not just drink but drink to get drunk.

    For most young people this holiday is their first without their parents and after so many years of schooling most school leavers just want to experiment and let down their hair. Unfortunately while most schoolies do the right thing when it comes to drinking responsibly there are many who don’t know how to handle peer pressure and their new found freedom. What is supposed to be a school leavers best week can soon turn into a nightmare because of excessive drinking.

    There are a number of initiatives aimed at keeping schoolies safe such as “The Red Frogs Australia” and “Be Safe and Watch your Mates” – more can be found at http://www.schoolies.com/safety

    School leavers as well as parents should be responsible when it comes to consuming and providing alcohol to teenagers, especially keeping mind that excessive alcohol consumption can have some extreme negative consequences, both immediate effects as well as in the long term. Alcohol poisoning, getting involved in drunken brawls and drink driving crashes are just a few of the consequences that can result from abuse of alcohol particularly for inexperienced, often naive school leavers, most of whom probably haven’t even touched alcohol before.

    Parents, also keep in mind that providing alcohol to your kids is illegal if they are under 18 – the legal drinking age in Oz. By consenting to your underage children consuming alcohol, an act you may consider harmless, you are actually consenting to the law being broken.

    For schoolies who are of the legal drinking age, moderation still needs to be exercised – just because you can drink legally doesn’t mean you need to do so excessively.  And if you are going to be serving alcohol to other schoolies, you also need to ensure that you check their IDs to confirm that they are old enough to have a drink.

    Speaking of serving alcohol, if you are going to be working in hospitality over the festive season, then in order to learn all the other requirements for responsible service of alcohol, you need to complete Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training. In fact working in the hospitality sector, even just part time means that you need to be in possession of a RSA certificate according to the law, to learn the dos and don’ts of serving alcohol.

    Completing the RSA course online is an easy, convenient and comprehensive option, preferred by most servers, particularly other schoolies who have just completed many years of school and prefer online RSA training rather than having to return to a classroom environment. And at just $45 it’s a lot less costly too!

    The online option is also quicker and you won’t get bored…, Start course here!

  • Dubbo Police Break-up Wild Alcohol Filled Party

    Undoubtedly the people most at risk of being the victims of alcohol fuelled harm as well the biggest perpetrators are young people.

    A man was arrested at Narromine after assaulting a police officer and an out-of-control part involving more than 100 people had to be broken up.

    According to reports police were generally satisfied with the behaviour of the general public during Operation Unite but some young people are still exhibiting dangerous drinking behaviour, placing themselves at risk and becoming a menace to others.

    During the operation one man, an 18 year old was arrested after he became violent with a police officer, wrestling him to ground and striking the officer before being taken to the police station. This excerpt explains:

    After striking the officer the man was wrestled to the ground and arrested before being taken to Narromine Police Station and charged with assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, failing to comply and breaching bail for an unrelated issue.

    The man appeared in Dubbo Local Court on Sunday and was given bail with conditions. The officer suffered minor facial injuries.

    Less than 24 hours earlier police were called to a residence in Fairview Street for reports of an out-of-control party and underage drinking. Police attended and found about 50 to 60 teenagers present.

    Officers were abused and bottles were thrown at police. Additional police were called and the crowd was dispersed with no arrests made.

    Source: http://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/1973834/police-shut-down-wild-teenaged-party/?cs=112

    Orana Local Area Command Operation Unite Commander Gemini Bakos said that the incidents were the only really major concerns during the blitz by police officers. This year’s operations yielded much better results than last year with fewer arrests being made.

    Police in Dubbo arrested 4 people during the operation but not all of these arrests were linked to alcohol. The DailyLiberal.coom.au post also explains:

    An additional 21 officers were on duty between 6pm Friday and 6am yesterday when the operation concluded. During that time, police in the city visited 50 licensed premises and issued four people with infringements for failing to comply.

    Source: http://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/1973834/police-shut-down-wild-teenaged-party/?cs=112

    It is interesting that a total of 323 random breath tests were issued and only one person was caught drink driving, this shows improvement in the city in alcohol behaviour and that people are becoming more responsible drinkers.

    Commander Bakos went on to explain:

    “It’s been a successful operation. It’s good to see the public has taken the message on board about responsible drinking,” Inspector Bakos said. “We had a really good police presence and that was effective. It was good to get around to all the licensed premises and talk to licensees and security personnel.”

    Source: http://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/1973834/police-shut-down-wild-teenaged-party/?cs=112

    According to the article, during the weekend of the operation across the state of NSW 540 arrests were made and 1062 charges were laid. Common assaults and people drinking past intoxication were the greatest concerns.

    Another issue being tackled by authorities during Operation Unite was drink driving. Across NSW 40.000 people underwent random breath tests.

  • Drink Drivers Arrested During Operation Unite

    Alcohol related violence and drunken behaviour have been getting a lot of attention recently particularly in the aftermath of Operation Unite but another alcohol fuelled social issue which was identified as problematic during the blitz is drink driving.

    The police across Australia, in all states embarked on the blitz on alcohol fuelled misconduct and made hundreds of arrests relating to drink driving, violence and assaults.

    In the WA area of Esperance alone 5 motorists were arrested during the operation for drink driving and while the focus was on licensed venues and entertainment precincts, people getting behind the wheel while intoxicated is another huge problem that we need to tackle.

    According to Esperance police Sergeant Swadkins, officers charged 5 motorists with drink driving during the Operation Unite, designed to heighten the community’s awareness of social issues relating to alcohol. The following excerpt from www.esperanceexpress.com.au explains further:

    The operation was designed to heighten awareness in the community of the social issues that need to be addressed in the community, in particular excessive consumption and risky drinking behaviour, especially among young adults which leads to the risk of injury, assault and other violence.

    WA Police deployed its resources across the state, with a focus on licensed venues and entertainment precincts.

    Sgt Swadkins said police issued five street drinking infringements over the weekend.

    “We had three arrests that resulted in two disorderly charges and one obstruct police charge,” he said.

    Locally, police ran a number of rolling random breath tests to target any alcohol-related crime.

    “It’s disappointing that we had five people drink driving,” Sgt Swadkins said.

    Read more at: http://www.esperanceexpress.com.au/story/1975455/5-drink-drivers-nabbed-in-esperance-leg-of-operation-unite/?cs=1520

    According to Sgt Swadkins police operations will continue to target drink drivers over the Christmas and New Year periods. He issued a warning to drinkers that if they are going to drink, do not under any circumstance get behind the wheel of a vehicle.

    One of the major aims of Operation Unite this year, according to Metropolitan regional officer acting Commander Charlie Carver was to encourage the public to think about their behaviour and whether it would impact them personally in terms of their health, career or family relationships.

    As the Commander explained, going out and having fun is not a problem neither is having a few drinks but people need to stop binge drinking and learn what their limits are and stick to them – not only for their own personal wellbeing but also to be considerate of the people around them.

    The article goes on to explain:

    “Alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour is not acceptable, and it is time for a cultural shift in the way we drink to make our drinking behaviour safer and more responsible.”

    WA Police released its Operation Unite 2013 summary, detailing that state-wide, some 516 individuals were charged with offences over the period, 62 of those were excess 0.08 per cent charges, 66 for drug offences and 65 for disorderly behaviour.

    Read more at: http://www.esperanceexpress.com.au/story/1975455/5-drink-drivers-nabbed-in-esperance-leg-of-operation-unite/?cs=1520

  • Researchers want Community Defender Office to help Fight Bars and Alcohol Shops

    According to a group made up of medical and research groups established in NSW to review alcohol fuelled misconduct and its impact on communities, a community defender’s office is called for in order to protect residents and communities from alcohol fuelled problems stemming from “unwanted” bars and pubs in the area.

    A community defender’s office should be established under the liquor law so that residents, schools and hospitals can fight a flood of unwanted bars and bottle shops, an alliance of medical and research groups claim.

    According to an article on Smh.com.au the number of active liquor licences in NSW increased by 13 per cent between 2008 and 2011. Councils across Sydney complain that the community is locked out of decision-making and does not have the resources to fight applications from companies with money and resources at their disposal.

    The following excerpt from www.Smh.com.au explains further:

    The NSW Alcohol Policy Alliance, which includes the NSW Police Association, Australian Medical Association and hospital and surgeon groups, has called for a defender’s office to be funded through the introduction of annual licence fees for pubs and clubs.

    A report to be released on Thursday at a forum at NSW Parliament has found the community impact statements lodged by liquor licence applicants are often misleading while spot checks by the regulator have revealed many pubs and hotels don’t tell communities – giving them no chance to object.

    A community defender’s office would notify communities of a new licence application, help prepare affidavits and gather data needed to challenge a new licence under complex rules.

    ”NSW communities are demanding a say in liquor licensing decisions but are increasingly frustrated at being locked out by a process that is unfairly weighted in favour of the alcohol industry,” said Michael Thorn, chief executive of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education.

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/push-for-help-fighting-bars-bottle-shops-20131019-2vtja.html#ixzz2iKdVFFSl

    As one member of the community, Kandy Tagg explained, liquor licences arent the problem but the concern is that more big bars bring more drinking, more violence and noise and subsequently more disruption for the community.

    The Fairfield City Council explained that it is extremely difficult for the community to challenge a licence proposal because they often dont have the means to do so and sometimes they arent even aware of the applications.

    It is important that in areas where there is a high density of bars, pubs and licenced premises that Responsible service of alcohol regulations are strictly adhered to because often it is the only defence against the alcohol fuelled problems that communities are so fearful of.

    The post on Smh.com.au goes on to explain:

    Applicants were only required to provide the location of nearby schools, churches and hospitals, not the views of these groups. The only way a community discovered an application had been lodged was if they happened to see an A4 piece of paper stuck on a building, she said.

    Manly Council uses its planning powers to alert community groups if a development application for a new pub or restaurant is received. Any objections go to an independent panel. Cr Griffin said the NSW government should adopt the same approach for liquor licences.

    Residents on Thursday took objections to a restaurant Justin Hemmes plans to open on the Manly wharf to an independent hearing. It ruled the project could proceed but must address noise and environmental concerns.

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/push-for-help-fighting-bars-bottle-shops-20131019-2vtja.html#ixzz2iKdVFFSl

     

     

  • End to Booze Filled Weekend in NSW

    Last weekend was an eye opener for anyone who didn’t know the extent of the alcohol fuelled violence across the country. According to the police who embarked on the country-wide blitz last weekend, a person was arrested every 3 minutes across the state of NSW during the blitz on booze-filled violence.

    Senior NSW detectives involved in the blitz expressed their anger at the outcome of the weekend long operation. 540 People were arrested on the streets of NSW and more than 20 arrests per hour were made.

    The operation included a joint effort between police across the country and as Premier Barry O’Farrell explained, the problem in NSW is severe.

    The following excerpt from www.dailytelegraph.com.au explains:

    Senior NSW detectives said they were angered by the staggering numbers, while Prime Minister Tony Abbott described the issue as “urgent” and Premier Barry O’Farrell insisted the problem was a national one.

    But alcohol policy groups said the responsibility was the state government’s and yesterday called for a summit on the issue of booze and violence.

    In a frightening glimpse of the summer ahead, 540 people were nabbed on the state’s streets over the weekend, with police making more than 20 arrests per hour as part of Operation Unite – aimed at reducing alcohol-related crime across Australia and NZ.

    The weekend confirmed NSW as the Australasian capital of boozy violence, contributing the same number of arrests to the blitz as the combined totals of Queensland (395), Victoria (76), South Australia (46) and Auckland (27).

    Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/alcoholfuelled-violence-on-our-streets-two-nights-of-living-hell-in-nsw/story-fni0cx12-1226783631106

    Violent attacks took place all over the state during the weekend with one man remaining in an induced come after a booze-filled attack near Bondi Beach.

    More than 280 people were arrested on Saturday night into Sunday morning alone and police officers at youth parties were subjected to abuse as youth hurled rocks and beer bottles at them.

    The article went on detail some of the alcohol fuelled issues that occurred in NSW over the weekend blitz,

    In shocking scenes during the early hours of Sunday, a man in his early 30s was bashed and allegedly stomped in a fight with another man outside a Darling Harbour nightclub. He was found unconscious and bleeding by paramedics. The scenes were so disturbing, one distressed bystander had to be treated for an asthma attack.

    In other incidents yesterday, police arrested six men after a scuffle outside a hotel in Oxford St, a man was treated for injuries following an incident in Pitts Rd, a pizza delivery driver was treated after an assault in Balmain, and, in Martin Place, a barman was struck in the head with a bar stool after four men got into a fight

    Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/alcoholfuelled-violence-on-our-streets-two-nights-of-living-hell-in-nsw/story-fni0cx12-1226783631106

    Premier O’Farrell reiterated that Australia has an unacceptable drinking culture which needs to be addressed. Binge drinking and loading is a major problem contributing to the alcohol fuelled violence on our streets.

    RSA servers also need to be aware of the role they play in alcohol fuelled violence. Enforcement of RSA is vital in bringing down the high number of assaults and attacks fuelled by alcohol.

     

  • Study Disproves Theory that Alcohol leads to Depression

    According to a group of Western Australian scientists, alcohol consumption does not lead to depression as previously assumed.

    The scientists discovered that there was no truth to theory that alcohol causes people to become depressed.

    The discovery was made following a study of 3873 elderly men conducted over a period of 3 years as part of a long running men’s health study and the findings have been eye-opening especially in debunking some old myths such as the myth that drinking alcohol causes depression.

    This post from www.perthnow.com.au explains:

    A study of 3873 elderly men has shown no truth to the long-held belief alcohol causes people to become depressed, University of Western Australia school of psychiatry and clinical neurosciences professor Osvaldo Almeida said.

    The study was conducted over three years as part of the long-running Health in Men Study.

    “We found (as expected) that this particular genetic variant was associated with reduced alcohol use, but it had no association with depression whatsoever,” he said.

    Source: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/alcohol-and-depression-not-linked-wa-study/story-fnhocxo3-1226717903594

    The researchers came to the conclusion that alcohol doesn’t cause depression in older men. There are often people who suffer from alcoholism and the effects of these addictions may lead them to become depressed but alcohol in itself doesn’t cause depression, as we previously thought.

    Even though this study shows that alcohol consumption does not directly lead to depression in drinkers, we should not take this as an opportunity to binge drink. Any excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to severe and sometimes life-threatening consequences which is why alcohol should always be consumed in moderation and responsibly.

    Consuming moderate amounts of alcohol can positively affect your physical and mental state. Even though alcohol is widely abused, which often overshadows the good it can do, there are some benefits to drinking alcohol in moderate amounts. And now that we know that alcohol doesn’t cause depression, people abusing it does, we can recognise the importance of promoting moderate consumption, particularly if we work in the hospitality industry.

    Workers who serve and sell alcohol have a responsibility to ensure that they are not serving alcohol to unduly intoxicated patrons which only promotes excessive drinking and negative consequences such as alcoholism and depression.

    The post goes on to explain:

    “The conclusion is that alcohol use neither causes nor prevents depression in older men.  Our results also debunk the view that mild to moderate alcohol consumption may reduce the risk of depression.”

    Prof Almeida said the association observed between alcohol and depression could be explained by other factors, but not by alcohol itself.

    “It doesn’t mean alcohol is entirely safe and people can consume it in whatever way they like.  We know that alcohol when consumed in excess does create a lot of health problems – but what we now know is that one of those problems is not depression.”

    Source: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/alcohol-and-depression-not-linked-wa-study/story-fnhocxo3-1226717903594

  • Sydney Panel to make Suggestions on State’s Nightlife

    Sydney will hopefully become less violence infested since the foundation of a panel to make suggestions on issues affecting Sydney’s nightlife has been announced.

    The jury of more than 40 citizens is going to be empanelled with the task of tackling the issue of alcohol fuelled violence plaguing Sydney’s streets.

    The panel is a joint effort, initiated by The Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation, the City of Sydney, the NSW government and the independent newDemocracy Foundation.The group will be composed of 43 randomly selected citizens of Sydney who are not affiliated with any parties, lobbyists or interest groups. Members of the panel will be asked to compile at least 5 recommendations to help make Sydney’s night life safer and less violence prone.

    The initiative is being championed by someone who has been directly affected Sydney’s violent night life, Ralph Kelly, the father of teenager Thomas Kelly.

    Thomas Kelly was slain in the notorious Kings Cross District last year when he decided to visit the area for the first time.

    An article on www.TheAustralian.com.au explains,

    Ralph Kelly, the father of Thomas Kelly who died after being king hit at Kings Cross in July last year, said the panel would hopefully cut through self-interest and conflicting views.

    “I hadn’t appreciated just how politically complex this issue is,” Mr Kelly, who founded the Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation, said on Tuesday.

    “I just want a jury of people to really look at what is happening and for there to be a sensible and informed conversation which government listens to.

    “We don’t know what the outcome will be, but I think a citizens’ jury is a way to get beyond the simple back-and-forth between lobbies which goes nowhere.”

    Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/sydneysiders-set-to-form-jury-on-alcohol/story-fn3dxiwe-1226720885641

    The primary sponsors of the initiative are the City of Sydney and the NSW government and will cost the state more than $132,000.

    The call for jury members will be issued to a group of randomly selected Sydney residents from a selected sample of 20,000. The jury will also be made up of university and TAFE students to ensure that the 18-24 year old demographic is adequately represented.

    Discussions will begin early next year and will include 6 face-to-face meetings where members of the panel will be asked to come up with set recommendations to reduce Sydney’s nightlife violence that could be attached and accomplished in a set timeframe.

    Various interest groups will be allowed to voice their opinions to the jury who will make the ultimate decisions. These decisions will then be taken, as is to parliament.  The article on www.TheAustralian.com.au goes on to explain:

    Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said expert groups, interest groups, community groups and lobbyists will be invited to make their case, but the extent of their role will be in the hands of the jury.

    NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell has agreed the recommendations of the jury will be taken to parliament unaltered, she said.

    Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/sydneysiders-set-to-form-jury-on-alcohol/story-fn3dxiwe-1226720885641

  • Why so many road crashes are caused by Alcohol

    It seems that drink driving is one of those problems that is universal, no matter where you go in the world you will probably find drink drivers, in some places the problem may be worse than in others.

    Recently in New Zealand a woman was killed in an early morning crash which left another 3 people injured. We seldom hear of people drink driving in the early morning unless they are still on a buzz from the night before. It is not known whether the driver involved in this incident was intoxicated from the night before or began drinking early in the morning, the accident took place in Auckland around 5:30am.

    The vehicle was apparently travelling quite slowly at below 50km per hour but passengers weren’t wearing seatbelts and the driver may have been intoxicated which is what is suspected to have caused the crash and resulted in a fatality.

    The accident happened when the vehicle carrying 4 people collided with another vehicle before smashing into a power pole. The driver of the vehicle, a 20 year old woman died and the other occupants of the vehicle were injured. The second car’s occupant was not injured.

    The occupants of the first vehicle were trapped and had to be freed from the wreckage by firefighters. The injured were taken to Auckland Hospital for treatment. The article on Fullyloaded.com.au goes on to explain,

    However, speed may not have been a factor, as police told 3News it was believed the car was not travelling at more than 50 km/h.

    Police will investigate whether alcohol was involved, with toxicology tests due to be taken during a post-mortem tomorrow.

    Bottles of alcohol were found inside the vehicle, Senior Sergeant Matt Knowsley said.

    “Whether that alcohol was actually involved in the operating of the vehicle we don’t know. We’re trying to firm it up.”

    Mr Knowsley said police suspected the occupants of the crashed car were not wearing seatbelts.

    A number of people witnessed the crash, who were being interviewed by police.

    “It’s not a nice thing to see on a Sunday morning, or at any time, for that matter,” Mr Knowsley said.

    Police were in the process of formally identifying the deceased woman and notifying her next of kin.

    “The message here is, as with most accidents, they are avoidable,” Senior Sergeant Logan Christian said.

    Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11135642

    As this incident proves, intoxicated drivers do not need to be travelling over the speed limit to get into or cause a crash. This vehicle was travelling below the speed limit when it crashed and even cars travelling at moderate speeds can be involved in fatal accidents. This is a warning to all drivers about the dangers of drink driving and a reminder to RSA staff to ensure that customers who are intoxicated are not allowed to get behind the wheel. If you notice that they are intoxicated ask them if you can assist by calling a cab or a friend for them.

  • New Breath Tester works for both Drugs and Alcohol

    A breakthrough in technology may soon see drivers being issued with a breathalyser test that reads both blood alcohol content and blood drug content.

    A company that manufactures breathalysers is readying their trial of the new “all-in-one” alcohol and drug testing device, a first anywhere in the world.

    Not only will the new breathalyser be able to read both alcohol and drug content but it will also hopefully reduce the long delays associated with traffic caused by police road blocks. The device will be able to measure blood content within 30 seconds whereas at the moment officers take between 3 to 5 minutes to do so. This is usually associated with frustrating delays for motorists, hopefully this will soon come to an end.

    This excerpt from an article on www.brisbanetimes.com.au explains,

    Alcolizer has partnered with Britain’s Oxtox to develop the technology, which has detachable clips to provide both alcohol breath testing and drug testing, The Bayside Bulletin reports.

    Current roadside drug testing must be performed by specially trained officers and takes between three and five minutes.

    The Alcolizer ADU (Alcohol and Drug Unit) takes a saliva sample and returns a reading within 30 seconds.

    Source: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/onestop-drug-and-alcohol-breath-tester-20131111-2xbp1.html

    The article goes on to explain that the new improved device is expected to be trialled by several police forces in Oz during the first quarter of next year. This is good news for road safety and bad news for those drivers who think they can get away with drug driving.

    According to the chief executive of the company responsible for the device’s development, it will “streamline” the drug testing process which is significant because drugs are becoming an increasingly more common problem than alcohol among drivers.

    The post goes on to explain:

    Alcolizer chief executive Gary Johnson said the device would help streamline drug testing in Australia.

    “Drugs are becoming a bigger problem than alcohol on the roads and so there needs to be a better way of monitoring it,” he said.

    “The Alcolizer ADU can detect traces of cannabis and varieties of amphetamine.”

    Alcolizer has quietly built an international reputation in the breathalyser industry since it started out of a Cleveland garage 23 years ago.

    Source: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/onestop-drug-and-alcohol-breath-tester-20131111-2xbp1.html

    The company although originated in Cleveland, has become a leading breathalyser provider to police forces across Oz as well as some police forces in Asia.

    In addition to being used for random testing of drivers by police officers, the device can also be used by companies in the enforcement of their OHS to test workers sobriety.

    The company, Alcolizer is particularly concerned with tackling the issue of drink driving and have planned an educational program relating to this social problem. Johnson also explained that the company was planning on donating breathalysers to local clubs as well. The post went on to explain:

    Mr Johnson said Alcolizer was hoping to start a consultative education program about the risks of drink-driving.

    Redlands RSL has already agreed to install an Alcolizer instrument to promote the responsible consumption of alcohol.

    “We’re hoping to donate breathalysers to local clubs and work with police to change people’s drinking habits,” he said.

    “The cost of every person killed through a drink driving-related death is estimated at about $1 million.”

    Source: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/onestop-drug-and-alcohol-breath-tester-20131111-2xbp1.html

  • Licensees Claim SA Alcohol Crackdown Unfair

    Although controversial new alcohol laws have been implemented in South Australia, 2 of Hindley Saints biggest nightclubs have lost their last minute applications to stop the laws from impeding their regular business.

    According to media reports the efforts of 2 big nightclubs, The Palace and The Woolshed sought an urgent injunction in court to stop the changes, obviously they were unsuccessful as the laws came into effect. These businesses wanted the injunction imposed so that they could continue to trade as normal until the laws are challenged in the full court but their application was denied.

    The new restrictions have been described as harsh and therefore have been met with controversy. They entail all city pubs and clubs imposing a 3am lockout as well as other restrictions on the sales of alcohol.

    Despite these clubs claiming that they will lose millions due to the new restrictions, the application for the injunction was refused.

    Licensees said that the restrictions which are expected to cost them millions are unfair especially because casinos and restaurants do not have to abide by them.

    There are 98 venues that are affected by the changes and as it has been pointed out, allowing 2 clubs out of the 98 to operate as usual would only make the problem worse as patrons would just flock to these clubs, making the restrictions ineffective.