Weekend Violence Smears Newcastle Hoteliers

By Ian Neubauer

A series of pub brawls may have dashed the hopes of a group of Newcastle licensees trying to win an appeal against a 1:00am curfew that went into effect in the NSW city on March 20.

A spokesperson for the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing said the Licensing Court would not comment on the case while it was under deliberation. He said the licensees’ appeal has been adjourned for mention on June 25. A second appeal to stay the curfew until the case is heard has also been set aside for June 16.

Police officers and residents’ groups supporting the lockout said the weekend brawls that resulted in several police officers receiving minor injuries validated the lockout.

But licensees said individuals must take the onus for responsible drinking and that police were ill-equipped to deal with rapidly changing lifestyle and entertainment patterns.

Shadow Police Minister, Mike Gallacher, concurred, saying the brawls highlighted the necessity for Newcastle Police resource to be bolstered in this week’s State Budget.

“It is unacceptable that there were not enough officers available in the Newcastle region to take care of the incident,” he said. “[Premier] Morris Iemma and [Police Minister] David Campbell ‘talk tough’ on this issue but the reality is new laws and harsher penalties are a waste of time unless they can be enforced.”  

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[Wed 04/06/2008 01:35:07]