Councils Deny Lockout Research: Trial 'a Farce'

The Age

Wednesday July 16, 2008

By Cameron Houston City Reporter

SEVERAL inner-city councils have said they did not conduct research on alcohol-fuelled violence before the introduction of the State Government's contentious lockout plan last month.

Stonnington Mayor Claude Ullen branded the trial lockout a "farce", calling on the Brumby Government to boost police numbers around the Chapel Street entertainment precinct.

Freedom of Information inquiries with three councils affected by the lockout revealed there was no data to support the government's strategy to curb late-night assaults, despite claims by Premier John Brumby the policy was based on broad consultation and research.

Melbourne City Council's FoI officer said: "Council does not hold any reports, research, documents or statistics relevant to the State Government's (lockout) decision."

Stonnington and Port Phillip councils also acknowledged they had never examined the matter.

Victoria Police said the movement of patrons between venues had not been investigated.

Liquor licensing director Sue Maclellan defended the strategy again yesterday and said it was based on research including police reports and dispatch data from emergency services.

Ms Maclellan said she also consulted with Police Victoria chief commissioner Christine Nixon.

© 2008 The Age

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