Australian MP criticises lockouts: "Dickheads don’t magically disappear after 3am"

Jenny Leong, Green MP in Newton, Australia has slammed the proposal to impose a lockout on clubs and bars in the city's late night district. Numerous venues in the area have agreed to trial a voluntary restriction ruling, which includes a 3am lockout and bans on shots and doubles after midnight.

In an opinion piece for The SMH, Leong has suggested that the answer to limiting the recent increase in drunken violence and anti-social behaviour lies in creating more small late night venues, live music, late night food and late-running transport options.

"Lockouts don't stop alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour and violence. It's not like Cinderella: sexist, transphobic and racist dickheads don't magically appear after 3am. Unfortunately, they can surface at any time."

She writes: "Lockouts move the problem down the road; they move it inside houses, down lanes or to other pubs in other suburbs. History tells us that prohibition doesn't work, whether it's alcohol, other drugs, or violent behaviour in general."

The restrictions being imposed on Newtown come in the wake of the areas changing 'vibe'; since areas like King's Cross and the CBD in central Sydney imposed the very same lockout out rules, punters and partygoers have been forced to find other means of continuing their late night fun.

A crime statistics report published in April did find that drunken violence and assaults had decreased in the central areas but it has not yet been determined whether this has created increased alcohol-fuelled incidents in displacement areas like Newtown.

[Via: inthemix]