JOLENE OGLE
Premier Campbell Newman is calling on all Queenslanders to have their say on the new Safe Night Out Strategy, released this week.
The strategy is designed to restore responsible behaviour and respect for others, help stop alcohol and drug-related violence as well as ensure the local nightlife is safe for all. The strategy states bad behaviour won’t be tolerated, with tougher penalties for violent and anti-social behaviour in and around licensed venues proposed, as well as community service and compulsory alcohol and drug counseling/rehabilitation for offenders. The Safe Night Out strategy would also include changes to laws so it is easier to prosecute irresponsible licensees, as well as increase police power and resources for a faster response to alcohol and drug-related violence. The release of the strategy comes amid public outrage last week at a “slap-on-the-wrist” sentence for a coward punch that left the victim with almost $24,000 damage to his face. Controversial magistrate Bernadette Callaghan sentenced law graduate Virgil Macquarie Power, 29, to 240 hours community service, without a conviction, after he punched Michael Halbauer, 23, in the face, while out at a Noosa venue in September. In her sentencing, Ms Callaghan said she would usually consider jail time for violence, but took into consideration Power’s legal ambitions as well as noting the punch was “out of character”. The decision has caused anger throughout the nation and locally with business man Brian Hayes labeling the sentence as “dumbfounding”. Mr Hayes, whose son was the victim of a coward punch while out on Hastings Street in December last year, said it “beggared belief that the attack on Mr Halbauer was not considered gratuitous violence”. “Ms Callaghan may have a change of heart if she were to sit in a room and discuss her opinion with the families of those killed or injured from these coward’s actions,” Mr Hayes said. A copy of the Premier’s Safe Night Out Strategy is available at www.qld.gov.au/safenightout and will be open for public comment for four weeks, with the final plan subject to review in 12 months.
