TAMWORTH’S strict liquor accord could be the way to stop alcohol-fuelled violence across the nation.
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Senator Glenn Lazarus will chair a Senate inquiry into alcohol-fuelled violence, with the goal of developing a national strategy addressing the issue.
Senator Lazarus said the measures taken by Tamworth to crack down on bad behaviour, such as ID scanners, 12.30am lockouts and not selling energy drinks after 9.30pm, were “really good ideas”.
“We don’t have any preconceived ideas and we want to investigate all avenues,” he told The Leader.
Senator Lazarus said he was “buoyed” by the results in areas that had introduced tougher liquor laws, such as Tamworth, Newcastle and Kings Cross.
“They’re seeing some really good results and I’m hoping the inquiry will bring all the solutions to the surface, so we can put them into place nationally,” he said.
Senator Lazarus said it seemed as though every week there was a “sickening case” of people being killed or injured as a result of an alcohol-fuelled attack.
He has been personally affected by the issue.
A few months ago, he received a phone call in the dead of night from a hospital, informing him his youngest son had been glassed from behind.
“Thankfully he is now on the mend,” he said.
“Everyone deserves the right to enjoy their city and their social life in safety and not have to worry about being hurt while out at night.”
Developing a national strategy and prompting action from the federal government are key goals of the inquiry.
“States and territories are dealing with the issue of alcohol-fuelled violence in different ways – some states are doing more than others,” Senator Lazarus said.
“Clearly, as a nation, the federal government needs to show leadership and develop in partnership with all states and territories a national strategy to address the issue in a consistent and comprehensive manner.”