The Minister for Police, Bob Cameron, today announced 24-hour banning notices from entertainment precincts and police powers to shut licensed venues for 24-hours would begin on New Years Eve.
Mr Cameron said the Director of Liquor Licensing, Sue Maclellan, will declare two designated entertainment precincts where the 24-hour banning notices would apply.
“Melbourne’s CBD, including Birrarung Marr, Federation Square and Southbank, and the entertainment precinct of Chapel St in South Yarra and Prahran, are the first areas in this initiative,” he said.
“The designated areas were chosen by the Director of Liquor Licensing, in consultation with the Chief Commissioner, with regard to the level of alcohol related violence and disorder around licensed premises in each area.
“These precincts have a history of violence and require a strong response. Everyone should feel safe when they go out night and not have it ruined by a minority.”
Police will have the ability to ban anyone suspected of committing a specified offence from re-entering licensed premises or the designated precinct for 24 hours.
Some of the offences that could result in a banning notice include: persons found drunk and disorderly; drunkards behaving in a riotous or disorderly manner; and obscene, indecent, threatening language and behaviour.
Mr Cameron said a banning notice was not a criminal offence, nor would it be recorded as a conviction or be disclosed in a criminal history check.
“A banning notice sends a clear message that the person can go home with no charge against them and sleep it off or risk a large fine if they stay in the precinct,” Mr Cameron said.
It is however an offence to re-enter or stay in the designated precinct, with a penalty of up to $2,202.
Police or prosecutors can apply for a court order to exclude a person for up to 12 months from a designated entertainment precinct, or licensed premises within a designated precinct.
Breaching a court-issued exclusion order is also an offence and carries a penalty of up to $6607
If a person lives or works in an entertainment precinct the banning notice will exclude them from all of the licensed premises in an area, but not the whole of the area.
Mr Cameron said an Assistant Commissioner of Victoria Police will also be given the power to suspend a liquor licence for up to 24 hours enabling police to respond to immediate threats to public safety.
“Obviously the majority of licensees behave in a responsible manner. These new laws will give police the powers to immediately shut down those venues that do not behave responsibly,” he said.
“Dealing with alcohol fuelled violence is not only an issue for police and the Government; it is an issue for the whole community, especially licensees.”
Mr Cameron said some venues were already responding, with a trial of a voluntary 2am lock out at three Queen Street nightspots beginning on 1 January 2008.
“From January 1, no new patrons will be allowed entry to CQ, Basemint and The Balcony after 2am as part of a voluntary trial,” he said.
“I congratulate these venues in working together with police and the Director of Liquor Licensing to look at new ways to curb violence.”
Mr Cameron said Victoria Police would also begin a summer blitz of licensed premises throughout Victoria in a bid to combat alcohol and public order related offences.
Over the Christmas and New Year period, police will visit licensed premises on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to ensure venues are being operated in accordance with the conditions of their license under the Liquor Control Reform Act.
The Director of Liquor Licensing and Victoria Police will monitor the designated entertainment precincts and alcohol related violence to determine whether further areas should be designated.