By Clyde Mooney
The latest list of NSW’s most violent venues was released yesterday, featuring the lowest number of venues subject to special restrictions in the history of the scheme.
The minister for hospitality, George Souris, specified only seven venues subject to level one restrictions, that have recorded 19 or more assaults in a 12-month period.
But Souris says he is disappointed with the continuing standard of Newcastle’s MJ Finnegans and Fanny’s, which have again topped the list with 30+ assaults each.
Twenty-four venues attracted level 2 classification with 12-18 incidents, but ten venues have dropped from the list due to assault rates falling below the threshold and only five new entries have taken their place.
"It disappoints me for example that I know that when I look at the list there are no venues from Wollongong, no venues from other regions as well.
"Those refusing to curb alcohol-related violence will also suffer the consequences of tougher operating restrictions and possible licence suspension or cancellation if they continue to commit liquor law breaches under our Three Strikes disciplinary scheme," said Souris.
The results follow on from last week's findings by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) that demonstrated the successful efforts by venues to more diligently enforce RSA.
A survey of 2,500 young adults found that refusal of service was up from 2.2 to 7.1 per cent and requests to leave up from 4.2 to 12.4 per cent, when compared to results from identical surveys in 2002 and 2006.
"Pro-active measures by hoteliers are paying off and the message of personal responsibility is finally sinking in to patrons," said Paul Nicolaou, CEO of AHA NSW.
Other venues receiving level one restrictions are Campbelltown's Macarthur Tavern, the Coogee Bay Hotel, ivy, Penrith Leagues and Broken Hill's Theatre Royal.