clipped from: www.nenews.com.au EXTENDED hotel trading hours, such as Wangaratta’s 5 am weekend limit, are being targeted in a national offensive against alcohol related violence.
Residents and traders in Wangaratta are being urged to ask the council to come up with a plan to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence in a push being headed by the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation.
The foundation points the finger at the "explosion of liquor outlets" and also existing trading hours.
"Current trading hours in general are excessive, irresponsible and have created hot spots of trouble in many parts of Australia, leading to an increase in alcohol related violence," foundation chief executive, Daryl Smeaton, said.
He said that new research showed that over 14 million Australians are now concerned about alcohol related violence, and 10 million were more concerned than they were three years ago