2am Lockout

The "2am Lockout" was the name of an initiative set up by the Victorian Labor Government to curb alcohol-related violence in Melbourne. The three-month trial period began on 2 June 2008 and lasted until 2 September of that year.

The lockout prohibited patrons from entering pubs, bars and nightclubs after 2am in designated areas which included the council areas of Port Phillip, Stonnington, Melbourne (including the Docklands) and Yarra. Licensees who breached the lockout could be fined a maximum of $6899. Of the 457 premises that were originally planned to be bound by the lockout, 115 were granted exemption by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The lockout was not continued following the end of the trial period.

In 2005, a 3am lockout trial in Queensland was introduced with similar provisions and presently a similar lockout is being proposed in Adelaide.

Background

The 2am lockout was announced on 2 May by Premier John Brumby.

Exemptions

Of the 457 premises that were originally planned to be bound by the lockout, 115 have been granted exemption but must abide under a number of rules which include no passouts after 2am for smokers; passouts for food, cab etc.; no advertising the fact that they have exemptions, and extra security guards after 2am.

A bid by VCAT to enforce the 2am lockout on exempt venues was dismissed on 16 June.

Opposition

Melbourne Locked Out, a protest group designed specifically for campaigning against the lockout, has been the main source of opposition. On 30 May 2008, a protest was held at the Treasury Gardens, with about 10,000 people attending.

Controversy

• 115 venues have been exempt from the lockout.
• On the first morning of the trial at 04:30, a bouncer struck a reveller outside a bar. John Brumby used the incident to justify the need for the lockout.

External links

• 2am Lockout Information Site - Presented by MelbournePubs.com
• Melbourne Locked Out - Protest group