First published in Geelong Advertiser 12 August 2023

Public intoxication will be decriminalised from November in Victoria, but questions have been raised about how the reform will work in Geelong.

Police Association of Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt said members across the state had expressed concern in regards to exactly what their role would be when reforms come in.

“The government first said that police would have no involvement in dealing with people found drunk in public,” he said.

“They then said police would be used as ‘second responders’. “This is representative of the lack of planning and clarity that has characterised the government’s handling of this reform.”

The state government recently announced a 20-bed sobering centre would be established in Collingwood. Mr Gatt said:

“If Geelong doesn’t get a sobering-up facility in the next 90 days, where do the allied health services called out to attend those found drunk in public take these people? To Collingwood?”