Year long bans for party zone trouble makers

Victoria Police will be given the power to ban trouble makers from more entertainment precincts across the state.

Exclusion zones are already in effect in Melbourne's CBD and Prahran are already in effect.

However additional areas will be added to the ban, including party precincts in Fitzroy and St Kilda, as well as regional centres Geelong, Ballarat and Warrnambool.

Offenders could be banned for up to a year for more serious offences.

Updated: Tue 9:42am (AEST)

Drunks, criminals face crackdown

HOBART waterfront licensees and Tasmania Police are looking at tough new policies that might see troublemakers banned from the wharfside entertainment precinct.

Victoria Police will soon have the power to ban drunks and criminals from nightclub districts for up to a year and Tasmania Police and the Australian Hotels Association are already talking about a similar crackdown in Hobart.

AHA Tasmanian general manager Steve Old said licensees had been working with police for several weeks to work out ways of banning troublemakers from the waterfront, not just individual establishments.

"One of the things we are looking at is whether there could be a veto system introduced where a person can be banned from all venues," Mr Old said.

He said he would be talking to police again tomorrow.

"We are already looking at systems which have combated antisocial behaviour in other places like the UK to see how they might apply to the waterfront precinct," he said.

"A whole new approach could be taken in Hobart, but ultimately we still need to work out if new rules can be effectively policed. How will people be monitored, how will breaches be handled and how can a publican who bans an individual or group get the word out to other pubs and nightclubs?

"We all agree on one thing -- we need to combat anti-social behaviour right now and a precinct-wide crackdown could be the way to go."

In Victoria, new laws that come into effect later this week will ban people from being in an entertainment zone for periods ranging from 24 hours to one year. Five entertainment hotspots will be targeted and minor offences will attract 24-hour bans.

Police will be able to seek court orders to ban people from entertainment zones for up to a year for more serious offences.

Breaching the bans will carry hefty penalties.

One hundred and forty people have already been banned from areas in and around Melbourne.

Quote: Asking for trouble? Not easy to enforce! What about banning alcohol? Too expensive for the govt and corporations? What about warning labels on alcohol? Too expensive for govt and corporations? The virus is now spreading to Tasmania, why not call a curfew? Don't we live in a police state out here in minimum security? Can't put warning labels on alcohol? Prevention is better than cure.

Related:

Govt to tackle violent crime increase
The Victorian Government says it will tackle the rising level of violent crime in the state. Leaked police data shows crimes committed against people are increasing, especially robberies, abductions and assaults.

Binge drinking teens: 'two deaths a week'
South Australia's Drug and Alcohol Service says there are about two deaths a week in Australia involving young people who have been binge-drinking.

Cops settle drug test defamation case

Police have settled out of court a defamation claim made by a Victorian man falsely accused of being the world's first motorist to return a positive roadside drug test.

Ballarat courier John De Jong had reached a confidential settlement with Victoria Police over his defamation claim.

The case was to have gone ahead in the Victorian Supreme Court within weeks.

As well as an undisclosed payment, police will give Mr De Jong a statement of regret, admitting mistakes and apologising for the hurt and embarrassment caused to him and his family.

Mr De Jong was the fourth driver tested when police set up a new drug bus for roadside saliva testing in west suburban Yarraville, as the media looked on, on December 13, 2004.

The media pack was told Mr De Jong had tested positive for cannabis and amphetamines use.

The alleged find was broadcast on four Melbourne television news services that evening and was beamed around the world.

Mr De Jong found his wife Kay and teenage daughters in tears when he arrived home, embarrassed by the reports.

An independent laboratory later tested the sample and cleared Mr De Jong. The police lab later confirmed the finding.

Mr De Jong told the Herald Sun he was relieved the ordeal was over and thanked his family and friends for standing by him.

"My family and I are very glad this sorry saga is finally over," he said.

"We never wanted to be in the public spotlight, and we're glad that this episode will soon just be history.

"A technical error caused embarrassment and distress not just for me, but for my wife and children. I look forward to receiving the statement of regret from Victoria Police."

A Melbourne barrister who specialises in defamation cases said he expected Mr De Jong would receive a payout of between $50,000 and $150,000, with police to also pay legal costs.