Double Trouble for Unruly Patrons

By Andrew Starke

Drunk or disorderly revellers will be seeing double from today (July 2) as the penalties for a range of public order offences will double to $478 in Victoria.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Bob Cameron, said bigger fines for public order offences and even tougher banning notice powers were part of the Brumby Labor Government’s crackdown on alcohol-related crime.

“It’s last drinks for people who think they can booze on and act up in an anti-social and offensive way. If you do drink too much and flout the law, you’ll find yourself in double the trouble,” Cameron said.

“This is part of our government’s ongoing efforts to send an immediate message to people who think it’s okay to drink too much, become unruly and run foul of the law that society will not accept that behaviour.”

Since the fines came into effect in December 2009, 7100 people have been fined across Victoria, with 4304 being issued in metropolitan areas and 2796 in regional areas.

Cameron said the legislation also triples the amount of time police can ban someone from a designated area or licensed premises from 24 hours to 72 hours.

Since banning notices were introduced in 2007, more than 3300 people have been banned from a designated area for 24 hours.

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[Fri 02/07/2010 02:17:23]