This is happening Australia-wide.

While on one hand there are (comparatively rare) incidents of violence fuelled by alcohol, governments of the day pander to the 'isn't it awful' mentality developed by a self-serving media. The emerging result is a Pygmalion effect where people do behave badly because that's just what governments expect them to do.

The net result will be a society where nobody takes responsibility for their own actions because governments will prescribe the terms and conditions of human interaction. This prescription is the lethal pill for music, human interaction, fun....

Why do I feel incredibly insecure whenever there's a security guard around? Nick off, nanny.

Police and politicians have figured out that it is easier to bully politicians than to stand up to drunk troublemakers. They will happily lay the law down to publicans, because they know they aren't in a position to fight back. When police need to break-up a fight, they either see it as too hard or don't feel that they have the power needed.

If drunks want to drink themselves to death let them. However if they get in a car and kill your son or daughter see how you feel. There are plenty selfish individuals willing to do it and then cry victim status. If we were all adults and can manage our own lives well we would not having thousands caught each year drink driving. If a few liberties need to be curved in order to save innocent victims and police having to deal with drunken fools then so be it. Victoria has shown that the more brothels their are the more the demand. The same goes for drinking holes. The less the better. Drinking responsibly at home or with friends is a far better option for all.

Not much alcohol fuelled violence, you must live underground, or your level of violence is above what is normal. Every week it's the same thing. Drunken idiots that can't control themselves. What do you have access to alcohol till 5 am for. That's only asking for trouble .
You say there police and guards every where, that's to make sure drunken idiots don't infringe on anybody elses space.
There's more to life than drinking yourself to a state of no control.

Baxter sin you can't be serious? <'While on one hand there are (comparatively rare) incidents of violence fueled by alcohol,..."

Do you live in an isolated area or something? Alcohol fueled violence is prevalent in Australian society - and I don't believe the media have covered this fact enough!

The more the Government and the legal system crack down on this violence the better. If you aren't into alcohol fueled violence, then you have nothing to fear have you?

I don't want to spend my life hiding away at home as Runner suggests!
Why should our social life be determined by violent thugs?

Bring on the extra police, cameras, and whatever else is needed to provide evidence for stricter sentences for alcohol fueled violence. The sooner the better.

yes Desmond, there are better things to do in life than drinking one's self into a state of no control- like watching one or many of Australia's world class bands make incredible music or being on stage one's self with friends contributing to Australia's musical heritage. And of course the list of better things to do than binging is infinitely long.
Why is drinking so endemic in Australia? Many people need a few drinks to open up and talk to mates or in a group. it's knowing when enough is enough. Are we that insecure? or shy? as a bar man i see plenty of shy people become anything but shy after a few. And as a bar man i have a responsibility to serve alcohol responsibly.

It's up to us as individuals to do the right thing. Don't tell your mate he's a girl because he wont skull 3 shots in a row after each beer.
Again, as Desmond said, there are so many better things to do than get drunk, it just happens some of those things are so attached to the flogging of alcohol that maybe the solution to it needs to be revolutionary rather than draconian.