ACT scraps plans for lockout laws
It’s official: the Australian Capital Territory government has abandoned plans to bring in NSW-style lockout laws.
That comes after strong opposition from the Greens, businesses and the community.
Of course, it’s all about politics.
The decision comes ahead of the October election and follows the government decision last week to put off plans to introduce anti-consorting laws targeting bikie gangs.
Cabinet resolved not to push ahead with post-3am fee hikes, changes to closing times or the introduction of last drinks after it met on Tuesday before the last parliamentary sitting.
The proposal, aimed at reducing the amount of alcohol-fuelled violence in Canberra, would have dramatically hiked fees for nightclubs and bars open past 3am.
Greens MLA and cabinet minister Shane Rattenbury killed it off when he said he could not support plan, which he believed would kill off Canberra's growing nightlife and entertainment scene.
"The Greens think there are a lot of other measures that we can put in place to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence that don't involve shutting the city down," Mr Rattenbury told the Canberra Times.
"I've indicated my view to the Labor party over the last few weeks," he said.
"Cabinet had a discussion about this. It's a big debate, there's a lot of elements to it. The outcome is that we're not going to go ahead.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the government had taken on board community concerns but was still intent on pursuing other aspects of liquor reform.
"After careful consideration of options in the Liquor White Paper and taking into account the broad range of community views, the government has determined to rule out making changes to rules around last drinks or closing times," Mr Barr told the Canberra Times.
"The government will continue to work with vendors, patrons and police to keep Canberra safe."
by Leon Gettler, July 27th 2016
