Member for Castle Hill Michael Richardson has slammed the Rees Government’s scrapping of fines for people caught drinking in alcohol-free zones.

“This flies in the face of commonsense, especially when the Government’s own expert report recommended that the fines – which were $22 – be increased,” he said.

“It’s no coincidence that Arthur Whitling Park in Castle Hill is a Hills crime hotspot – it’s where a lot of drinking, including underage drinking, takes place.

“That’s despite Council declaring it an alcohol-free zone until March 2011.

“Increasing the fines would make people think twice about bringing alcohol into the park and consuming it there.

“Now all the police can do is to tip out open bottles and cans and confiscate any unopened drinks.

“If the drinker is underage the alcohol stays confiscated but if they are over 18 it is ultimately returned to him or her – so the only penalty is losing half a can of beer or rum-and-cola.

“That’s a Clayton’s punishment – like the drink you’re having when you’re not having a drink.

“The only people who would be deterred from drinking in an alcohol-free zone are those who wouldn’t break the law in the first place.

“We have a major problem with binge drinking in this country and we need to strengthen police powers to deal with drunks and anti-social behaviour – not tie their hands behind their backs.

“Here’s the Government clamping down on pubs and clubs where responsible service of alcohol is practised while declaring it open slather for drinking in parks and reserves.”

Mr Richardson called on the Rees Government to reinstate the fines at a higher level, and to scrap the provision that a fine can only be issued for a second offence, after a caution is given.