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2008/22: Should Melbourne impose a permanent 2.00am lockout on clubs, bars and hotels?
Introduction to the media issue
Video clip at right: A Melbourne television news report on a protest against the 2.00 am lockout rule imposed on the city's nightclubs and bars. If you cannot see this clip, it will be because YouTube is blocked by your network. To view the clip, access from home or from a public library, or from another network which allows YouTube clips.
What they said...
'I believe that the 2am lock out will have an extremely negative effect on the Melbourne community and the viability of entertainment venues'
Carlo Colosimo, the licensee of Lounge Melbourne
'The current strategy appears to be just promoting the city as an all night binge drinking venue, which could not be attractive to most visitors to the city'
'Working Together for Melbourne Forum', August, 2007
The issue at a glance
In May, 2008, the Victorian Government announced it would impose a lockout across the major municipalities of the city of Melbourne, the city of Yarra, the city of Port Phillip and the city of Stonnington.
Starting in June, 2008, Melbourne drinkers were banned from entering bars, pubs and nightclubs after 2am. Under the lockout, patrons were banned from entering 487 inner-city venues after 2am. The curfew was aimed at reducing the rise in violent, alcohol-related assaults. Violent assaults rose by about 17.5 per cent in Melbourne in the last year.
Exemptions were put in place for The floor of Crown Casino, restaurants and clubs such as RSL clubs.
The scheme followed similar lockouts in the Victorian regional cities of Ballarat, Warrnambool and Bendigo, as well as in Queensland, which Mental Health Minister Lisa Neville said had succeeded in reducing violence.
The lockout was a trial which ended on Tuesday, September 2, 2008. Throughout is operation, there were many who vocally opposed the curfew. The Victorian Government has yet to decide whether it will impose a lockout in Melbourne on an ongoing basis.
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