According to the latest data released by the NSW Police Force’s Computerised Operational Policing System (COPS) many of the original 48 licensed venues who have been subjected to Nathan Rees 2am lockout rules are no longer in the Top 48.

The data which measures violent incidents that have occurred on licensed premises from the period November 2008 to April 2009 shows that only 27 of the original Top 48 are still on the list. Furthermore 73 new hotels with 14 or more assaults would be added if they are to be judged on the same basis as the original Top 48.

Susanah Page, Co-owner of Sydney’s Home thinks the situation for the original venues is completely unequitable and begs Premier Nathan Rees to review the situation. “Can he keep punishing the original Top 48 when over half should be taken off the list?  Or is he going to simply keep adding to the list as new venues make the Top 48?”

Home is one of several venues that is no longer in the Top 48 and did not appear at all in the most recent data which names 100 venues. Other venues that are no longer on the list include Cargo Bar at Sydney’s King Street Wharf, Scruffy Murphy’s on George Street in the city, The Eastern and the Bondi Hotel, both in Bondi, and the Crowne Plaza in Terrigal, among others.

Based on the latest statistics, some additions to the list would be the Merivale Group’s newest member Ivy on Sydney’s George Street (which is now ranked equal 6^th), the Castle Hill RSL (now ranked equal 3^rd), The Columbian Hotel in Darlinghurst (now ranked equal 7^th) and The Greenwood Hotel in North Sydney (now ranked equal 9^th).

Page wonders how long the original 48 are going to continue to be punished. “I think the most important part of this story is that the original 48 Hotels have no democratic right of appeal and we are now at the mercy of Premier Rees,” says Page. “When this legislation was rushed through no one stopped to think what was going to happen in the future.”

A spokesman for Office of Liquor, Gaming & Racing said the new data would not change the government response. “Last year the Premier announced we would develop a scheme to build on the existing scheme placing restrictions on NSW venues where alcohol related violence most occurs,” said the spokesman. “Our proposed system is the NSW Government’s next step in instituting measures reflecting community concerns about alcohol-related violence.

“After working with the industry over summer, the Government released a discussion paper designed to draw public comment. That consultation paper is under review now.”

One of the other criticisms levelled at the way the data is collected is that many of these venues have decided to deal with violent incidents internally rather than involving the police.

**About the 2am Lockout**

As of December 1 last year, 48 pubs, including 10 in Darlinghurst, Bondi and Kings Cross, were ordered to impose 2am lockouts, serve drinks in plastic cups, impose drink limits and a no shot rule after midnight, close their bars for 10 minutes every hour after midnight and cease service 30 minutes before closing time. Feelings about the rules have been mixed - some believe any measure that address booze-fuelled violence are welcome while many publicans argue that the rules are targeted venues that had been co-operative in reporting incidents.

The original 48 pubs were determined by the number of violent incidents in a year long period from July 07 to June 08. Topping the list back then was the Mean Fiddler in Rouse Hill with 73 assaults. Coming in at 48 was Iguana Joes with 19 incidents. The latest data released is for the 6 month period from November 2008 to April 2009.

HAVE YOUR SAY!

We want to know what you think. Whether you’re a bartender, a bar or pub owner or any way involved in the trade we want to know if you think this is fair? Are the original 48 being unfairly used as scapegoats for the Government or are they getting what they deserve? Post your comments below.