2am Lockout

The "2am Lockout" is the name of an initiative set up by the Victorian Government to curb alcohol-related violence in Melbourne. The three month trial period that begun on June 2, 2008, finished on September 2, the lockout prohibits patrons from entering pubs, bars and nightclubs after 2am in designated areas which include the council areas of Port Phillip, Stonnington, Melbourne (including the Docklands) and Yarra. Licensees who breach the lockout are can be fined a maximum of $6899. Of the 457 premises that were orinally planned to be bound by the lockout, 115 have been granted exemption.

In 2005, a 3am lockout trial in Queensland was introduced with similar provisions and presently a similar lockout is being proposed in Adelaide.

Background

The 2am lockout was annonuced on May 2 by Premier John Brumby.

Exemptions

Of the 457 premises that were orinally planned to be bound by the lockout, 115 have been granted exemption but must abide under a number of rules which include no passouts after 2am for smokers; passouts for food, cab etc; no advertising the fact that they have exemptions, and extra security guards after 2am.

A bid by VCAT to enforce the 2am lockout on exempt venues failed was dismissed on June 16. [cite news | first=Cameron | last=Houston | coauthors= | title=Court blow for lockout initiative | date=2004-06-17 | publisher= | url =http://www.theage.com.au/national/court-blow-for-lockout-initiative-20080616-2rnu.html | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-06-24 | language = ]

Opposition

Melbourne Locked Out, a protest group designed specifically for campaigning against the lockout, has been the main source of opposition. On May 30, 2008, a protest was held at the Treasury Gardens, with about 3000 people attending.

Controversy

*115 venues have been exempt from the lockout.
*On the first morning of the trial at 04:30, a bouncer strikes a reveller outside a bar. John Brumby uses the incident to justify the need for the lockout. [cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Premier Discusses 2am Lockout | date=2008-06-02 | publisher=The Premier of Victoria | url =http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/news-events/premier-discusses-2am-lockout.html | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-06-18 | language = ] [cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Bouncer's attack 'justifies 2am lockout' | date=2008-06-02 | publisher=News.com.au | url =http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23795450-2,00.html?from=public_rss | work =Herald Sun | pages = | accessdate = 2008-06-03 | language = ]

References

External links

* [http://www.2amlockout.com.au/ 2am Lockout Information Site] - Presented by MelbournePubs.com
* [http://www.melbournelockedout.com/ Melbourne Locked Out] - Protest group