The issue of violence in pubs has been high on the agenda across the country for more than a year now. We have seen legislative changes including lockouts, increased security, bans on certain drinks and of course, the bans on glassware to reduce the number of glassing incidents. The latest call has been for a ban on pool cues and glass ashtrays. If we had to remove all the dangerous objects from bars, shouldn’t we start at the source – people? And then what would we have? An empty bar with no sharp objects. It isn’t a glass that breaks itself and flies across a room. But it seems that government departments are more interested in band-aids than addressing the real problems that lead to violence. In Victoria, the government recently introduced legislation that meant venues had to increase the number of security guards after 9pm. While intended for nightclubs and packed pubs it has adversely affected live music venues who can’t afford these increased security measures and are therefore scrapping their live bands. We’d love to know your thoughts on the constantly changing legislation to address violence in our licensed venues. Do you think it’s all a beat up? Do you think small bars are the answer? Let us know.
Wow, before our eyes we are rapidly turning into the most contrived country in the world!
Hi Guys,
It seems we are no longer able to look after ourselves and we have to have big brother as a nanny to look over everything we do…
A point I make often when these laws come up is…when you go bushwalking you take plenty of water and leave plenty of time to get around the track before dark, when you swim in the ocean you swim between the flags and are generally aware of your strengths and weaknesses so as not to get swept out to sea, when you do any number of sports you take the necessary measures to minimize risk of any injury but it is ultimately up to how you tackle the game as to what outcomes may occur.
Same with a night on the town. If you’ve (general public) done any traveling then keeping your wits about you, day or night, is part and parcel, especially at night. I understand there can be a general ‘duty of care’ to ones fellow person but I think, as hinted at, we need to test the water before jumping in and landing on a rock that just been erected to protect from one problem but it has caused another. In these times of economic crisis shouldn’t we be making it easier for business instead of more red tap in an already over regulated and taxed industry?
Thanks for an output for my rant…
Hey Amy
Just in regards to the article you posted up on the 4bars website.
What makes it so hard to enforce the legislative bans is that people dont have labels stuck to their foreheads.
Security at the door to any venue can’t instantly pick out the people walking into their venues whether they’re any trouble or not.the only way anyone will know is after a few drinks and it happens.
we all know bars, clubs in the Sydney cbd (where i live and work) want to provide live music and make it enjoyable for its patrons but all it takes is one person
to spoil it for everyone whether its ust a violent spat or they are breaking pool cues or throwing glasses but the fact remains that once they’re inside you wont know till it happens.
what i’ve seen recently is alot of generalisation. a certain type of look, certain clothing and toher dictate whether or not this person will cause trouble.
this does not work…ha ha unless the government wants to bring prohibition to stop it full stop whats left??
Ben Feldman
Bartender, Sydney.