Melbourne Clubgoers Threaten Civil Disobedience

By Annette Shailer

MelbourneLockedOut organisers have advised they will disrupt Government functions should lockouts be introduced at the end of the current three-month trial.

The controversial 2:00am lockout trial was introduced on June 3 despite a May 30 protest and the exemption of 128 venues following a Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) ruling.

MelbourneLockedOut spokesperson, Andrew Ranger, warned that it was likely the government would introduce the lockout following the trial and said larger more disruptive protest were being planned in response.

“The first will be a protest/concert in Treasury Gardens followed by blocking off inner city traffic for an entire day,” he said.

“If the lockout is still around after these public demonstrations, we will be turning our attack directly at [Victorian Premier John] Brumby and [Director of Liquor Licensing] Sue Maclellan by disrupting official functions and their places of business on regular occasions.”

Ranger also said that more public transport, better policing, greater penalties for offenders, no discounting of drinks, ID scanners and education were all potential solutions that should be addressed.

“Currently we are putting together an education plan aimed at creating the safest possible nightlife for people of all ages, sexes and races.”

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