Emergency services want lockout laws to be rolled out across the state
AMID growing calls for the state government to scrap its controversial lockout laws, a coalition of emergency services workers have banded together to demand the laws not only remain but be expanded.
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THEY have been bashed, sworn at and born witness to the bloody aftermath of intoxication in the course of their duty — now they are fighting back.
Amid growing calls for the state government to scrap its controversial lockout laws, a coalition of emergency services workers have banded together to demand the laws not only remain but be expanded.
Despite the introduction of restraints and a new drug to calm intoxicated patients, emergency workers say drinking restrictions are the most sure-fire way of countering alcohol-fuelled violence.
In a strongly worded letter to Premier Mike Baird last week, the police officers, paramedics, doctors and nurses have requested a meeting to discuss the laws be rolled out statewide.
The Last Drinks coalition, represented by the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association, the Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation, the Health Services Union NSW and Police Association of NSW, described its opponents as “a vocal minority” driven by “greed”.
“Please do not succumb to the pressure of a vocal minority,” the letter said.
“The arguments against the alcohol laws aren’t driven by fact or even broad community support; they’re driven by greed and a poor understanding of the evidence.
“Community safety needs to be the No. 1 priority of the NSW government and for that reason we cannot see a reversal of these very effective laws. In fact, we believe they should be applied statewide so that other communities can benefit from the reductions in violence.”
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The comments come ahead of a major rally in Belmore Park today which the Keep Sydney Open protest group hopes will attract about 10,000 people.
Kings Cross Local Area commander Superintendent Michael Fitzgerald was gagged by NSW Police from speaking about the laws, but he told a union newsletter that violence had halved in the area since the lockouts came into effect.
“The reduction in violence had resulted in police being able to be more pre-active in preventing crime, leading to an overall benefit,” he said.
“Kings Cross is completely changed from a location where people came at all hours to drink to excess which resulted in violence and anti-social behaviour.
“There has been a 50 per cent drop in violence in the Kings Cross area, including alcohol-related assaults and 70 per cent reduction in steal from persons.
“As a result of the reduction in general violence there are fewer assaults on police.”
Paramedic Greg Bruce said being attacked while trying to treat a drunken patient was not uncommon.
“I have had colleagues who have had to have a break from work because of assault situations that have left them feeling unsafe at work.”
Prince of Wales emergency department clinical nurse consultant Wayne Varndell said nurses were tired of coming to work “in a boxing ring”.
“There has to be a limit to excessive drinking; people are getting hurt,” he said.
Former High Court judge Ian Callinan QC is leading the review on the laws.
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