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Tag: Alcohol Fuelled Violence

  • ACT Government Cracking Down on Alcohol Fuelled Crime

    The ACT government may resort to earlier lockouts and raising alcohol prices in an effort to curb alcohol-related crime.

    Canberra’s pubs and clubs may be forced to close earlier following the release of a discussion paper to gauge the community and industry’s opinions on what should happen next.

    The Hotel’s Association says the state government is being unfairly influences by anti-alcohol campaigners and also accused them of sending mixed messages to the alcohol/ hospitality industry.

    Find out more about it here.

     

  • NSW May Remove 10pm Curfew for Take-away Alcohol

    The NSW government is currently reviewing the 10pm curfew on take-away alcohol which it introduced only one year ago in an effort to tackle alcohol fuelled violence in entertainment districts particularly.

    The government identified pre-loading as one of the major culprits in alcohol fuelled violence and thereafter implemented the 10pm closure of bottleshops in January 2014.

    Due to complaints about the revenue impact of the 10pm takeaway sales curfew, the measure is under review, one year earlier than it should have been. The review was scheduled for February 2016.

    Find out more here.

     

  • Claims That Violent Crime Linked to Take-Away Alcohol

    Shootings, stabbings and assaults have been linked to takeaway alcohol according to FARE. 

    The number of chain liquor outlets apparently directly correlates with the amount of violent crimes in the area, according to a FARE funded study.

    This is why Responsible Service of Alcohol for anyone who sells alcohol is crucial.

    Source: News.com.au

  • Alcohol Servers – Don’t Make This Mistake

    Don’t let this happen to you. A venue owner on The Sunshine Coast has been fined $1500 for serving alcohol to an already drunk patron.

    The licensee and an employee of a hotel in Gympie pleaded guilty to supplying liquor to an intoxicated person resulting in a $1500 fine for the licensee and the employee was placed on a six-month good behaviour bond with a recognisance of $600.

    No one at the venue made an effort to stop the patron from consuming more alcohol although he was already intoxicated. That is why Responsible Service of Alcohol training is so important.

    Find out more about this incident here.

  • New One-Punch Laws to help Curb Sydney Violence

    The level of alcohol fuelled violence in Sydney has certainly gotten to a dangerous extent but are the new laws implemented by the government warranted? That is the question many are asking themselves. As servers in the hospitality industry it is important that we keep abreast with any new laws and news relating to alcohol and the consequences of its misuse.

    One of the measures to be introduced is a mandatory eight year jail sentence for fatal one-punch attacks fuelled by alcohol or drugs in an effort to curb alcohol related violence in Sydney.

    The “one-punch” law has been announced recently by NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell as well as other measures include expanded Sydney CBD lockout zones, a freeze on issuing of liquor licences and the state-wide closure of bottle shops at 10:00pm. Also the sentences for serious assaults fuelled by alcohol have been increased by 2 years.

    The following excerpt explains more about the new measures from Mr O’Farrell:

    “It is no longer acceptable to go out and drink yourself stupid, take illicit substances, start fights, ‘coward punch’ people or engage in other assaults thinking you [will] get away with it,” Mr O’Farrell said.

    “From the point the legislation is passed, those days are over.”

    Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-21/one-punch-laws-to-tackle-sydney-alcohol-fuelled-violence/5210740

    The state Opposition says the laws aren’t enough to warrant positive change but families of victims of alcohol fuelled violence, including the parents of Thomas Kelly who died in Kings Cross in 2012, say they are pleased with the measures. Thomas Kelly’s father had this to say about the measures:

    Mandatory is the key word here. The judge has no choice now. It’s welcome news,” Kelly’s father Ralph said.

    “It’s bittersweet to know that the reform will come in shortly, but it’s also still terrible for us as a family,” Mr Kelly said.

    “It’s sad we had to bring in this change and that our community has to have these laws but if that’s the only way we can… make cultural change and social change and stop thugs from hitting people, then so be it.”

    Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-21/one-punch-laws-to-tackle-sydney-alcohol-fuelled-violence/5210740

    One of the new measures is an expanded lockout zone which now stretches from Kings Cross to Darling Harbour. This means that there will be a mandatory lockout at 1:30am for all licensed premises across an expanded Sydney CBD entertainment precinct.

    Also there will be no drinks served after 3:00am even if the premises remains opened. The only venues exempt from these new laws are small bars (less than 60 patrons), casinos, restaurants and tourist accommodation facilities.

    If you work in a venue that falls within the boundaries of the new measures, here are a list of them to help you keep track:

    • Eight-year minimum sentencing for alcohol or drug-fuelled assaults ending in death.

    • Serious assault maximum penalty increased by two years, with mandatory minimum sentences.

    • On the spot fines for disorderly behaviour increased from $200 to $1,100.

    • Police have powers to immediately ban ‘troublemakers’ from CBD/Kings Cross.

    • Penalty for possession of steroids increased from two to 25 years.

    • CBD/Kings Cross venues to have 1:30am lockouts with drinks stopping at 3:00am.

    • Bottle shops across NSW to close at 10:00pm.

    Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-21/one-punch-laws-to-tackle-sydney-alcohol-fuelled-violence/5210740

     

  • Curfews and Harsher Penalties part of Crackdown on Violence in Sydney

    The hotel industry isn’t too happy about the new measures introduced by the government to crackdown on alcohol fuelled violence in Sydney’s entertainment district and in particular the 3am alcohol curfew. Pubs and clubs have called the measures harsh and “radical”, fearing that the impact it will have on their businesses will be crippling.

    The hotel industry has also warned that the crackdown by O’Farrell’s government would harm the “night-time economy”. Those in the legal field have also criticized the measures.

    The measures were announced last Tuesday and under them dozens of late night trading venues in central Sydney will have to lock out new customers from 1:30am and will have to stop serving alcohol altogether from 3am.

    According to Barry O’Farrell’s new measures, liquor license fees will be subjected to a risk based system throughout NSW and bottle stores will be forced to close by 10pm.

    Perhaps one of the laws that has gotten the biggest response from the public, some against it and others praising it, is the one-punch law. This law carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 8 years jail time for fatal assaults where drugs and alcohol were a factor and the maximum penalty is 25 years jail time.

    The following excerpt from an article on Smh.com.au explains more about the new measures:

    Police will be given powers to test violent offenders for drugs and alcohol and intoxication will be removed as a mitigating factor in sentencing.

    Legislation for the sentencing changes will be introduced next week and the government expects to have them in place by February 1. Mr O’Farrell said he hoped the new trading laws would be operating by the end of April and would be independently reviewed in two years.

    ”This is not about penalising responsible drinkers,” he said. ”It is about attacking the irresponsible acts of those who allow themselves to be intoxicated, whether by drugs or alcohol.”

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/premier-pledges-to-take-action-on-alcoholfuelled-violence-20140121-316y0.html#ixzz2rAMGpmVY

    Licensed venues are being warned that the new restrictions will be in addition to those already in place for pubs and clubs on the violent venues list or subject to the plan of management already in place in Kings Cross.

    The new laws were announced after the government faced increasing pressure to act on the violence in the district following the New Year’s Eve death of 18 year old Daniel Christie. Christie, like Thomas Kelly was a young man killed in the area during a violent assault. Christie’s killer administered just a single punch but it proved fatal.

    But not everyone is pleased with the new laws. The president of the NSW Bar Association, Phillip Boulten, condemned the mandatory sentencing as a “one size fits all form of justice”, which failed to take account of the circumstances of each case. He went on to explain:

    ”The government’s suite of practical measures aimed at reducing the availability of alcohol on our streets is the appropriate response to the problem of alcohol-related violence, rather than the knee-jerk changes to the criminal law that have been tagged on to the package,” he said.

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/premier-pledges-to-take-action-on-alcoholfuelled-violence-20140121-316y0.html#ixzz2rAMGpmVY

     

  • Calls for National Alcohol Summit to tackle Booze Issues

    The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has called for a national alcohol summit to tackle the problematic issues surrounding the misuse of alcohol in Oz.

    Doctors are apparently calling for the Abbott Government to take a stand against what they call an “epidemic” of alcohol abuse beginning with a national summit to discuss ways to changes the nation’s problematic boozing culture – the root of numerous related issues including alcohol fuelled violence.

    The AMA want the federal government to convene a summit to bring together the state governments, local councils, health experts, industry members, police and those affected by alcohol related violence.

    In an article on Smh.com.au the AMA’s president Steve Hambleton was quoted as saying:

    ”We have a major national problem that requires a major national solution,” AMA president Steve Hambleton said.

    ”The NSW Government has this week introduced some very tough and very welcome new laws to address alcohol-related violence on the streets of Sydney, and we now have to look at the broader harmful effects of alcohol misuse in every corner of the country.”

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/ama-wants-a-national-summit-to-curb-alcohol-abuse-and-related-violence-20140122-3196w.html#ixzz2rALFEYUz

    He also went on to state that a co-ordinated and nationally consistent approach by all governments was needed on alcohol issues such as alcohol marketing, pricing, taxation, venue licensing and operating hours.

    Earlier this month Mr Abbott said he was concerned about the number of alcohol fuelled violent incidents but also cautioned that we shouldn’t rush into “knee jerk reactions”. He placed most of the responsibility on state governments.

    The opposition leader, Bill Shorten has on the other hand backed the AMA’s call for a national summit. He has called on Mr Abbott to support the call, the post on Smh.com.au went on to explain:

    ”As a community, we must stand up against violence in all its forms and do what we can to prevent it,” Mr Shorten said.

    Labor oppositions in NSW and Victoria also backed the idea.

    Labor’s Victorian health spokesman Gavin Jennings said he would attend if invited.

    ”Labor would be supportive of a national summit to discuss a national approach that deals with the excess use of alcohol,” he said.

    NSW Labor health spokesman Andrew McDonald, who is a paediatrician, said the summit was an excellent idea.

    ”We need to listen to the evidence and develop bipartisan policies,” he said.

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/ama-wants-a-national-summit-to-curb-alcohol-abuse-and-related-violence-20140122-3196w.html#ixzz2rALFEYUz

    What the experts say

    According to Professor Mike Daube the Public Health Association of Australia’s spokesperson, we already have the evidence when it comes to alcohol abuse, we need to now decide on what to do about it and how to take action not setting up more reviews.

    Although the federal government has placed most of the responsibility on state governments, Michael Thorn, chief executive of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education said he believed the federal government should be part of the solution. Sandra Jones, the head of the Centre for Health Initiatives at the University of Wollongong, said Australian culture was too set in alcohol marketing.

    With all of these differing opinions on what the root of the problem is and what actions need to be taken, perhaps the idea of a national summit to bring all of these ideas together is not just a bad thing?

  • Alcohol Fuelled Violence seems to be spreading from Melbourne CBD

    According to new statistics, Melbourne’s CBD is has become the worst place for assaults and violent crimes and it seems to be spreading quickly.

    According to reports the number of assaults has begun to rise outside of Melbourne, with Geelong being one of the most violent areas. According to the statistics violence is no longer concentrated within the Melbourne CBD but has spread to surrounding areas such as Geelong.

    Melbourne’s CBD has been dubbed the “states biggest assault hotspot” but this violence is spreading to other areas more quickly.

    The following excerpt from an article on www.heraldsun.com.au explains more:

    As police look for ways to tackle alcohol-fuelled king hits, new analysis of crime statistics reveal Melbourne had 2741 reported assaults last year.

    But while assaults in the CBD have only increased by 1 per cent in the past year, the rate of violence has started surging outside of Melbourne.

    Geelong has become increasingly violent with a jump in assaults of 28 per cent since 2003, to 1848 reported cases.

    Whittlesea is also on the rise with a 19 per cent increase in assaults – 1453 last year. Wyndham’s assault rate has increased 20 per cent to 1227.

    Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/scourge-of-violence-spreads-from-melbournes-cbd/story-fni0fee2-1226799718151

    The article goes on to explain that according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare the number of victims of alcohol-related physical abuse rose from 4.5 per cent in 2007 to 8.1 per cent in 2010. Statistics show that alcohol related hospitalisations cost the country up to $36 billion every year.

    In Victoria on the whole, alcohol related hospitalisations have increased by 74 per cent since 2001. That accounted for more than 30,000 hospitalisations in 2010. According to the article other states have reported a similar situation.

    According to licensees, they are doing their best to work in cooperation with police to curb problematic alcoholic behaviour but others have blamed the high density of liquor stores for some of the surge in violence. The article on www.heraldsun.com.au explains:

    Pubs and clubs say they are working with police to curb ­bad behaviour.

    “Violence in and around licensed premises are at the lowest levels in 15 years – this is thanks to the co-operation between hoteliers and police,” said AHA director of policing John Green.

    Gino Vumbaca, executive director of the Australian National Council on Drugs, blames the increasing number of suburban liquor stores for the increased violence.

    “There are three causes of problems – price, availability and promotion. Now when you go out to get a haircut, you can now buy cheap liquor as well,” he said.

    Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/scourge-of-violence-spreads-from-melbournes-cbd/story-fni0fee2-1226799718151

    According to one government spokesman an increase in police recruitment and tougher penalties for drunken behaviour or breaches of liquor licenses were some of the strategies used to combat this problematic culture and stop the spread of violence.

    Despite these efforts, according to the article on HeraldSun.com.au the “assault hotspots for Victoria 2012-2013” include:

    Melbourne: 2741

    Casey: 2225

    Hume: 1900

    Greater Dandenong: 1859

    Greater Geelong: 1848

    Brimbank: 1791

    La Trobe: 1617

    Frankston: 1522

    Whittlesea: 1453

    Wyndham: 1227

    Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/scourge-of-violence-spreads-from-melbournes-cbd/story-fni0fee2-1226799718151

  • 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.

     

  • Focus on Making our Streets Safe Again

    Police in Queensland are doing their best to keep Queensland’s city streets safe over the weekend and as we approach the Christmas holiday season. In this light they have issued a stern warning to partygoers and revellers to behave, or face the consequences.

    The latest in the police’s operations was an operation dubbed “Operation Lima” which involved a clamp down on alcohol related violence and misconduct in Capricornia’s licenced venues in Rockhampton.

    Data clearly shows that in the province alcohol fuelled violence surges on the weekends and holidays in particular, affecting mostly males between the ages of 15 and 25. This age group is most at risk of being the victims of assaults but are also more likely to be the perpetrators of alcohol induced assaults.

    The following excerpt from www.themorningbulletin.com.au explains more about the Operation,

    Acting Detective Inspector Ben Carroll said the district operation was designed to reinforce the national Operation Unite, which occurs from November to December each year.

    “It’s important that police reinforce with the community that alcohol-related problems cannot be tolerated,” he said.

    “We know this time of year it gets a lot busier in the CBD area…we’ve allocated more police presence in those areas.”

    Police are hoping the increased presence will help people make better judgement calls and prevent split-second decisions which could ruin lives.

    Source: http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/police-put-regions-revellers-on-notice/2066554/

    Police are warning people that visit entertainment districts to not only be vigilant about their own safety but also to drink responsibly and not become a menace and contribute to alcohol fuelled violence.

    Remember that an intoxicated person is not only a threat to the safety of others, but is also more vulnerable to attacks because they are less aware and not in the right mental or physical state to defend themselves or act rationally.

    Police have warned that as we approach the festive season drunken misconduct will not be tolerated. It is important that licenced venues also get involved and do their part in minimising the number of alcohol fuelled incidents taking place, especially on the weekends. This can be done be firstly ensuring that all employees, regardless of position have completed their Responsible Service of Alcohol training and also by ensuring that all staff are abiding by RSA rules and enforcing them each day while serving alcohol to patrons.

    Also keep in mind that during this time of year when people are visiting Queensland on holiday and licenced venues are busier than they are at other times of the year, when employing causal staff to fill in for the summer, that they too have completed RSA training. Whether casual workers, temporary staff or people on a working holiday VISA – all must complete Responsible Service of Alcohol training and enforce the principles learnt everyday on the job.