INCREASED ON-THE-SPOT FINES TO START

1Anyone engaging in drunken or anti-social behaviour is facing increased on-the-spot fines from tomorrow, as part of the Government’s crackdown on public drug and alcohol fuelled violence, Attorney General Greg Smith SC and Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Michael Gallacher announced today.

Criminal Infringement Notices for offensive language and offensive behaviour will rise to $500, while continued intoxicated and disorderly behaviour after a move on direction will attract a fine of $1100.

“The message to drunken thugs is clear: violent, offensive and anti-social behaviour simply won’t be tolerated. Anyone ignoring that message should prepare to learn a very expensive lesson,” Mr Smith said.

“This is the latest step in our measures targeting intoxicated street behaviour. Lockouts have started, the mandatory minimum sentences for fatal one punch attacks have come into effect, and now unacceptable behaviour will face much higher fines.”

“Meanwhile the Opposition is refusing to back our second tranche of reform, determined to water it down with unworkable amendments. The Opposition obviously is not serious about reducing drunken violence,” Mr Smith said.

Minister Gallacher said police, armed with greater powers and more resources, would be out on the streets rigorously enforcing the new fines.

“We have more than 16,000 officers across the state who will be out in force to hand out Criminal Infringement Notices and make sure anyone who breaks the law has a very expensive night to remember their actions.

“The Opposition and Greens voted against these increased fines – they clearly think swearing or urinating in public is acceptable behaviour. We think the community should not have to put up with such disgusting behaviour.

“This government continues to give police the powers, resources and backing they need to deal with those who cause problems on our streets.

Criminal Infringement
Notice type

Old fine

New fine from 31/3

Offensive language

$150

$500

Offensive conduct

$200

$500

Continuation of intoxicated and disorderly behaviour following move on direction

$200

$1100

Media Contacts:
Geesche Jacobsen (AG) 0467 737 920
Tess Salmon (Minister Gallacher) 0467 740 017

The Government’s recent package to target drug and alcohol-fuelled violence includes:

· Eight year mandatory minimum sentence for those convicted under new one punch laws where the offender is intoxicated by drugs and/or alcohol, plus new mandatory minimum sentences for violent assaults where intoxicated by drugs and/or alcohol;
· Introduction of 1.30am lockouts and 3am last drinks across an expanded CBD precinct to include Kings Cross to Darling Harbour, The Rocks to Haymarket and Darlinghurst;
· New state-wide 10pm closing time for all bottle shops and liquor stores;
· Increasing the maximum sentence to 25 years for the illegal supply and possession of steroids – up from two years;
· Increased on-the-spot fines to $1,100 for continued intoxicated and disorderly behaviour disobeying a police move-on order – an increase of more than five times;
· Community awareness and media campaign to address the culture of binge drinking and the associated drug and alcohol related violence;
· Free buses running every ten minutes from Kings Cross to the CBD to connect with existing NightRide services on Friday and Saturday nights;
· Remove voluntary intoxication by drugs or alcohol as a mitigating factor when courts determine sentences;
· Increasing maximum penalties by two years where drugs and/or alcohol are aggravating factors for violent crimes including assault causing grievous bodily harm, reckless bodily harm, assault against police, affray and sexual assault;
· Enabling Police to impose an immediate CBD precinct ban of up to 48 hours for trouble-makers;
· Introduction of a periodic risk-based licencing scheme with higher fees imposed for venues and outlets that have later trading hours, poor compliance histories or are in high risk locations;
· A precinct-wide freeze on liquor licences for new pubs and clubs will be introduced.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.