[Greens-Media] Violent pubs and clubs restrictions administered out of public view

[John Kaye]

Violent pubs and clubs restrictions administered out of public view 

Media Release: 23 October 2010

Police documents obtained by the Greens reveal that four licensed venues escaped restrictions on their operations after a behind-closed-doors review of violent incidents by a senior bureaucrat and a cabinet committee, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. ('A quiet word and rules ease for violent pubs', Sydney Morning Herald 23 October 2010, http://bit.ly/smh101023G)

Dr Kaye said: "The Keneally government is running a system that lacks transparency. A cashed-up and politically powerful industry is being assessed by police, bureaucrats and politicians without proper checks and balances.

"The system is stacked in favour of the pubs and clubs. They have three shots at getting the recorded number of violent incidents reduced and hence escaping restrictions. 

"At least two of those steps happen without any opportunity for public scrutiny.

"There can be little public confidence that the restrictions are being applied fairly given the Keneally government's use of the 'cabinet in confidence' excuse. 

"Four licensed venues  were able to have their violent incident discounted to avoid or reduce the level of limitations without any public access to the reasons for the change.  

"The Establishment Hotel in George Street, the Steyne Hotel at Manly, the Coogee Bay Hotel and the Australian Jockey Club at Randwick racecourse had their licensing restrictions reclassified down from the police recommendation.

"These venues evidently found a sympathetic hearing with the Director-General of Communities NSW or a cabinet subcommittee even after the police rejected their pleadings. 

"The system of appeals to police is an incubator for corruption. 

"Twenty three venues were able to persuade their local area commands to discount sufficient numbers of violent incidents to escape or reduce restrictions. While many of these may have been reasonable, the pressure on law enforcement officials from the pubs and clubs is unhealthy," Dr Kaye said.

For more information:	John Kaye 0407 195 455