Victorian Police have moved to act on all the negative attention focused recently on Melbourne’s nightlife, with the announcement that from today they will now have increased powers to shut down the city’s bars and nightclubs deemed to be “public safety threats” for 24 hours. The ‘Liquor Control Reform Amendment Act 2009’ has been introduced in response to a spate of alcohol-related violent incidents recently that received heavy coverage in the national media.

Victoria Police Superintendent Stephen Leane told ABC News that the new laws will only be wielded in extreme cases. “We hope that we never have to actually use these powers… We hope that managers and licensees are responsible and when we talk to them and outline the issues that they react. But the power does give us the capacity to direct that they close down,” Leane said, claming that saying the amendment will make it easier for police to act immediately against “rogue” venues.

In addition to pubs and clubs facing the prospect of a 24-hour shutdown, the Director of Liquor Licensing has also been given increased power to suspend liquor licenses.