Berwick MP Brad Battin spear-headed the last ditch effort by the opposition to stop the State Government’s decriminalisation of public drunkenness which comes in to effect this month.
With State Parliament returning from a week-long break from sitting on Tuesday 31 October, just a week before the decriminalising public intoxication in Victoria was to take effect, Mr Battin took the small window of opportunity to introduce a bill to repeal the new laws.
As opposition police spokesperson, Mr Battin has led the opposition’s criticisms against the new decriminalisation, arguing the State Government has not taken the proper preparation to keep people safe from harm when police no longer have the power to take the intoxicated into custody.
The key argument to the urgent attempt to repeal was that the laws will come into effect on Melbourne Cup Day.
“Its reform is not ready to go,” Mr Battin said on the motion.
“We have got a facility at the moment which is not ready and effective, from Melbourne Cub Day Victoria Police will no longer have the powers to arrest people who are intoxicated.
“Imagine people coming out of the Melbourne Cup venue and Victoria Police having had their powers removed.”
Mildura MP Jade Benham supported Mr Battin, suggesting it should be delayed before the system ‘completely falls apart’ and turns into ‘absolute chaos’ next week.
Allowing Mr Battin to introduce this repeal bill after years of debate over the issue was firmly opposed by the State Government.
Yan Yean MP Lauren Kathage said the opposition’s stance was a ‘doomsday cult’.
“The member for Berwick said that we do not want the debate. Well, we have had the debate,” Ms Kathage said.
“We have passed the legislation, and now we have got other legislation that we want to get through the house – important matters concerning transport, kinder and the circular economy and our environment, things that matter to Victorians, not things that are invented by a local doomsday cult to panic Victorians.”
Mr Battin’s motion to introduce the repeal bill to Parliament was defeated with 26 members for and 49 members against.
