The "2am Lockout" was the name of a 2008 initiative set up by the
Victorian Labor Government to curb alcohol-related violence in
Melbourne
Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
. The three-month trial period began on 2 June 2008 and lasted until 2 September of that year. A permanent lockout was not instigated after the trial was over.
The lockout prohibited patrons from entering pubs, bars and nightclubs after 2am in designated areas which included the council areas of
Port Phillip
Port Phillip (Kulin languages, Kulin: ''Narm-Narm'') or Port Phillip Bay is a horsehead-shaped bay#Types, enclosed bay on the central coast of southern Victoria (Australia), Victoria, Australia. The bay opens into the Bass Strait via a short, ...
,
Stonnington,
Melbourne
Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
(including the
Docklands) and
Yarra. Licensees that breached the lockout could be fined a maximum of $6,899.
Melbourne Locked Out, a protest group designed specifically for campaigning against the lockout, was a source of opposition. On 30 May 2008, a protest was held at the
Treasury Gardens
The Treasury Gardens consist of on the south-eastern side of the Melbourne central business district, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The gardens are bounded by Wellington Parade, Spring Street, Melbourne, Spring Street, Treasury Place ...
, with about 3,000 people attending.
History
The 2am lockout was announced on 2 May by then Premier
John Brumby
John Mansfield Brumby (born 21 April 1953) is the current Chancellor of La Trobe University and former Victorian Labor Party politician who was Premier of Victoria from 2007 to 2010. He became leader of the Victorian Labor Party and premier ...
. One of the objectives of the lockout was to reduce 'bar hopping' between 2am and 6am. On 2 June at 4.30am, the first morning of the trial, a bouncer struck a reveler outside a bar. Brumby used the incident to justify the need for the lockout.
Of the 457 premises that were originally planned to be bound by the lockout, 115 were granted exemption but must abide under a number of rules which include no passouts after 2am for smokers; passouts for food, cab etc.; no advertising the fact that they have exemptions, and extra security guards after 2am. A bid by VCAT to enforce the 2am lockout on exempt venues was dismissed on 16 June.
References
{{Reflist, 30em
External links
2am Lockout Information Site- Presented by MelbournePubs.com
Melbourne Locked Out- Protest group
Culture of Melbourne
Alcohol law in Australia