BOOZED-UP louts who commit offences while draped in the national flag on Australia Day should face increased penalties, the Queensland Police Union says.
Union general president Ian Leavers said drunkenness and violence had grown so bad on the national holiday, police needed extra measures to help combat them.
"In recent years Australia Day has been seen by some people as an excuse to set new records for alcohol consumption and poor behaviour," Mr Leavers said.
"The Gold Coast in particular has seen outrageous examples of violence against other Australians and clearly the high amount of alcohol consumed has played a big part."
In New South Wales, police have taken the extraordinary step of writing to liquor outlets asking them to restrict sales to low-alcohol products before 2pm on Australia Day to "reduce binge drinking and anti-social behaviour".
Opposition police spokesman Vaughan Johnson backed the call for tougher penalties for Australia Day offences.
"Police have got to be backed by the courts," he said. "The penalties that are there aren't being handed down and that's why we've got this unruly behaviour spiralling out of control in Queensland."
But he said restricting the sale of alcohol would penalise the "honest, fair dinkum, clean-living people".
Queensland's Acting Premier Paul Lucas said he was happy to examine the idea but he had "not noticed a problem with Australia Day behaviour".
The national holiday has been marred by violent brawls, with police dogs last year used to break up a massive riot led by flag-draped youths at Burleigh on the Gold Coast.
In other incidents, six people at Broadbeach physically attacked police after they were given liquor infringement notices, lifesavers at Mooloolaba were forced to call for help when a drunken brawl erupted there and a Brisbane police officer's hand was broken during a disturbance at Aspley.
A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said this Australia Day officers would again focus on anti-social behaviour including drinking in public places.
"Intelligence-based proactive patrols will focus on ensuring public safety and amenity."
Mr Leavers said Australia Day offenders should have the book thrown at them.
"The Government could send a message to the courts that people found offending on Australia Day in terms of public nuisance or drunkenness, could have a weighting added to their sentence – sort of like double demerit points for traffic offenders."
Issued by news.com.au as seen in Border Mail 15th January 2010
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,26588997-3102,00.html
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