SA pub curfew plan gets backing

AAP-April,1-A group representing businesses and major institutions in Adelaide's west end has backed plans for an early-morning curfew on South Australia's pubs and clubs.
The group's backing follows an initiative by the state government to reduce alcohol-fuelled crime and violence.
But the opposition and the hotels sector have rejected the plan which they say will turn SA into a nanny state.
The proposed changes would enforce a three-hour shutdown from 4am to 7am each day.
The Adelaide West End Association, which represents about 80 businesses and institutions including the University of South Australia, said it had opposed 24-hour trading for more than a decade.
"We believe a mandatory three-hour trading break will allow the area to be properly cleaned and protect daytime users from potential harassment," association president Andrew Wallace said on Friday.
"The problems are not limited to violence. There are anti-social behaviours such as public urination and begging to confront."
Mr Wallace said traders were happy to extend trading hours on special occasions such as New Year's Eve but he rejected suggestions that early-morning trading was the only thing that made the precinct attractive to tourists and locals.
"We believe that by winding back the hours the climate will exist for a greater diversity of premises to open and flourish, creating a more vibrant and attractive nighttime precinct than is the case currently," he said.
"We need an approach that enables daytime and nighttime uses to work in a complementary rather than adversarial, manner."
South Australian police have also backed the three-hour shutdown, citing crime figures which pointed to alcohol being a major problem in respect to offending in the city.
"There needs to be a break between the daytime and night economies," police said.
"Most other states in Australia have a break in trade, even high tourist precincts such as the Gold Coast where there is a mandatory break between 5am and 7am.
"Many international tourist cities do not have 24-hour trading, but do have a vibrant city."