Tuesday, 2 May 2023
The Andrews Government must seriously consider delaying the introduction of new public drunkenness legislation on Melbourne Cup Day following alarming warnings by health officials.
Reports today confirm the Department of Health has warned the Government’s new system to manage individuals drunk in public will not be ready to be introduced on November 7.
Shadow Attorney-General, Michael O’Brien, said it was little wonder the Andrews Government was completely unprepared for this major change to the law.
“The Premier is taking away a police response, before he has a suitable health response in place,” Mr O’Brien said.
“By scheduling this change for the booziest day of the year, the Andrews Government is simply putting at risk public safety at the worst possible time.
“Given these warnings by his own bureaucrats, the Andrews Government needs to seriously consider delaying the introduction of these new laws.”