THE fallout over the State Government's tough new alcohol restrictions on "problem venues" has a new battlefield: Facebook.

A user group on the popular social networking website, titled "A venue lockout is not the answer to street violence", has attracted more than 13,000 supporters.

The Facebook group is part of a campaign attacking the new measures, which were introduced to crack down on alcohol-fuelled violence at licensed venues in NSW.

As of December 1 last year, 48 pubs, including 10 in Darlinghurst, Bondi and Kings Cross, were ordered to impose 2am lockouts, serve drinks in plastic cups and close their bars for 10 minutes every hour after midnight.

Some have criticised the restrictions, with publicans arguing the rules targeted venues that had been co-operative in reporting incidents.

A message posted on the Facebook group's discussion board said the measures were "an admission of defeat" by the State Government and the NSW Police Force.

"To start penalising innocent people because [the Government and police] can't control the streets is unfair, and will ultimately fail," it stated. "Street violence is a difficult issue and there is no silver bullet - but the venue lockout will be counterproductive."

The group is linked with a website, http://www.dontpunishus.com.au, which features photographs of drinkers with thought bubbles, saying "Closing the bar for 10 minutes every hour is a joke" and "Hands off my social life".

The Oxford Hotel at Darlinghurst, the Vegas Hotel and Piccadilly Hotel at Kings Cross and The Eastern at Bondi Junction were among the venues on the campaign's website.

It is understood some of the pubs affected by the new laws had contributed funding for the campaign.

But some users have voiced their opposition to the group's message. James Fry posted a topic on the discussion board titled "Don't believe the alcohol industry's PR bullshit".

He said the hotel industry "should stop playing the victim and start taking some responsibility".

Lord Mayor and Sydney MP Clover Moore supports the Government's measures, saying they would help to "manage some of the immediate impacts of alcohol-related violence and antisocial behaviour, without destroying the social night-life of our city".

Superintendent Donna Adney said venues within the Surry Hills police command had handled the new measures well.

Time-out rule may be scrapped

The controversial 10-minute rule, which stipulates that the 48 "problem venues" in NSW must close their bars for 10 minutes every hour after midnight, could be overturned if pubs could produce evidence that the rule was not working. It emerged yesterday that the Australian Hotels Association had been told the State Government would consider making amendments to the legislation. The association has argued that the rule encourages binge drinking and causes patrons to be aggressive toward bar staff.

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