Public drunks set for ‘pats on head’

Alex de Vos
Drunks could stagger Geelong’s streets with impunity under State Government plans to consider decriminalising public drunkenness, according to a report yesterday.
A News Limited newspaper said the Government was considering easing the law after identifying Geelong as a “trouble spot” for alcohol problems.
The review would be part of a Government $20 million anti-booze offensive, also including dry-out centres and a “protective care regime” for public drunks.
The Government would raise liquor licence fees for “problem” licensees to pay for the program, the report said.
Geelong Police Chief Inspector Wayne Carson gave the proposal a thumbs up.
Insp Carson said he would welcome any State Government initiative to reduce alcohol consumption.
“I’ve always said Geelong has a bit of drinking problem,” he said.
“It’s a part of our culture.”
But Geelong Nightlife Association chairman Darren Holroyd opposed lifting the ban on public drunkenness.
Mr Holroyd said the Government should instead consider introducing on-the-spot fines for antisocial behaviour instead of giving public drunks a “green light”.
Geelong Retailers Association chairman Hayden Spurling said replacing the ban on public drunks with protective care would simply give them a “pat on the head”.
He said traders were sick of drunks in central Geelong.
“We see too much of this public drunkenness,” Mr Spurling said.
“It’s reflected on our shop doors and windows and in the excrement and sick on the footpaths on Sunday and Monday mornings.”
A spokesperson for Attorney-General Rob Hulls said the Government’s alcohol taskforce was looking at “a number of ways” to combat alcohol abuse.