New drinking laws won’t work

The NSW Council for Civil Liberties has condemned the State Government’s latest attempt to crack down on intoxicated and disorderly patrons.

A bill was introduced to parliament late last month that gives police officers more powers to issue move on directions.

Under the current laws officers can only enforce move on directions to groups of three and up if the group’s drunken behaviour poses a risk to public safety.

But with the new laws, officers can now order an individual to leave a public space for intoxicated and disorderly behaviour.

“It’s really inconsistent with a democratic process,” said Vice-President of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, David Bernie.

“What constitutes disorderly conduct?”

Mr Bernie said this extension of police powers would lead to an abuse of power.

“What experience shows us is that when you extend police powers like this they’ll start to abuse them.”

Mr Bernie said giving officers such discretionary powers would leave room for personal prejudices and see minority groups being wrongly targeted.

The response comes after Member for Coogee Bruce Notely-Smith welcomed the Bill and its potential to combat anti-social behaviour.

“We have to change the culture of alcohol related anti-social behaviour in NSW,” he said.

“And that change starts with making people personally responsible for their actions.”

Mayors from both Waverley and City of Sydney Council have also expressed their support for the Bill.

Mayor Sally Betts said: “We are delighted with any new enforcement tools which can assist police in managing excessive intoxicated behaviour and disorderly conduct.”

Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said she was aware this was one of the many new measures introduced by the State Government to combat alcohol related problems.

As a part of this initiative, Tourism and Hospitality Minister George Souris, has also introduced a ‘Three Strikes and You’re Out’ policy aimed at “rough licensees and licensed venues that are repeatedly associated with violent behaviour.”

Ms Moore said she recently met with the Premier and Minister Souris to discuss these strategies.

“We have agreed to work together to find long term solutions for a safe Sydney night life.”

But local patrons and club licensees aren’t so sure the laws will work.

South Bondi resident Adrian Clegg who frequents the White Revolver and Beach Road Hotel said: “I can see people becoming harassed by
police if they’ve got more powers.”

General Manager of the Paddington Woollahra RSL Club said: “Where do you draw the line of who’s disorderly and who is not?”

The Manager, who did not wish to be named, said although the policy would not affect his club, he believed the three strikes and you’re out
rule was “a fairly simplistic way of looking at things.

“The places that do bear the brunt of it are the late night entertainers.”

He said people could be perfectly behaved early on in the night while drinking at beer gardens or RSL clubs but would cause problems later on at other clubs and pubs.

“These venues are facing a vastly different animal.”

Parliament will review both bills in the coming months.