Late night violence around pubs/clubs

[Smurf1976]

I've re-read the entire thread, talked to quite a few people and done a lot of thinking about this one. Following is a short letter I've written (I'm involved with a group of people interested in this issue) that I think describes the problem pretty well. Comments welcome.

The debate over binge drinking and nightclub trading hours is missing the point. We had nightclubs open late and a drinking age of 18 for years without problems.

That we have problems now means that something has changed. But that change isn’t just in the clubs and isn’t limited to alcohol. It’s attitude. We are now seeing the effects of removing responsibility from the individual and respect for others in general.

If I defend my property from a thief then in the eyes of the law I’m the criminal if I cause them even the slightest harm. Likewise children create mayhem in schools without fear of punishment. That attitude of being untouchable now goes right through society.

And that’s the problem. We no longer have respect. Hence the problems we now have every Friday and Saturday night. Binge drinking, the increasingly common use of drugs and some poorly run clubs certainly make it worse but lack of respect is very much an issue.

Closing nightclubs or shortening trading hours is not the solution. That approach is at best hiding the symptoms, likely only to see them resurface in some other form. If international cities can maintain safe streets with a nightlife that dwarfs any Australian city then clearly nightclubs per se are not the problem. The problem is the attitude of Australian society in general. It’s all about me. If I do something wrong then you can’t touch me. And you’ll be the criminal if you do.

 

[2020hindsight]

1. Great summary smurf.
2. And the fact that the pubs just don't self-regulate as they say they will . Last night in the background I heard a TV show where a reporter pretended to be absolutely sloshed !! - and they had no hesitation at all serving him .
3. Maybe the Fed Govt is onto something with the binge drinking bit.
4. Sure it will be unpopular if people are told they won't be served - probably they'll just go next door.
5. THere was a case in Sydney where a bloke went next door, and the second pub served him one round and (as I recall) were blamed and/or sued for some fight he started or self-injury he received.
6. But as for us getting used to imposed regulation, remember the outcry from the hotels when Random Breath Testing was introduced,
7. and even the jokes made about anyone who dared to drink Light or even Mid Strength.
8. Bring back the Phantom to sort em out , lol ...."I'll have a glass of milk, and a bowl of water for my dog"..
.. "what're you staring at punk!"

 

[Smurf1976]

2. And the fact that the pubs just don't self-regulate as they say they will . Last night in the background I heard a TV show where a reporter pretended to be absolutely sloshed !! - and they had no hesitation at all serving him .

4. Sure it will be unpopular if people are told they won't be served - probably they'll just go next door.

It's a classic example of an industry where unrestrained competition is bad, not good, IMO.

Competition supposedly means lower prices. Not necessarily a good thing in this case. And it also means margins will be cut to the bone etc leaving operators with little choice other than to sell as much booze as possible.

In general I'm strongly opposed to government meddling in business but in this case I'm seriously thinking that free markets are a greater evil. Business bending over backwards to serve the customer at the lowest possible cost isn't exactly a desirable outcome in this instance.