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I was proud at the Treasury Gardens on Friday 30 May. Many of us had never protested before, but we all, from the age of eighteen to eighty, came together to stand up for our rights.

With TV Rock spinning tunes across the park, it felt like no matter what the State Government wants, us Melbournites will retain our right to freedom of choice. 

 We rallied against the proposed 2am lockout.

 We rallied for out right to choose where we go and when.

Violence from binge drinking is a problem that we must fix, but a 2am lockout is simply not the solution.

Baby Boomers tucked up in bed after 2am, such as Victoria's unelected Premier John Brumby, should not dictate policies that effect so drastically the owners, managers, workers, tourists and revelers in Melbourne's nightlife.

Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper claimed the lockout is in "community interest by stopping drunk people walking the streets from club to club." (Editorial, May 29 2008)

I have never been in a situation where a drunk person walking the streets has endangered me. Perhaps I am not visiting the most dangerous areas and that is my choice.

Millions of innocent people are being punished, thanks to a small amount of drunken yobs and the State Government’s quick-fix solution.

What is most unfair is that many offences take place in Southbank, yet the Crown Casino has been exempt from the lockout altogether!

This proposal is an infringement on our freedom to enjoy ourselves where and when we want. It is no solution to drunken violence.

The Herald Sun, however, has applauded the lockout trial as the "cornerstone" of "genuine reforms". (Editorial, May 03 2008) But how can these reforms be genuine if their proven effectiveness is non-existent?

A 3am lockout was introduced in Queensland in July 2006. I was living in Airlie Beach at the time, and remember vividly the violence that arose on Shute Harbour Road between bouncers and boozers who were denied entry, for no good reason at all, and left to brawl and binge on the streets until police arrived.

Chantelle Apruzzese, manager of Airlie Beach's nightclub Mama Africa's, said that the 3am lockout in Airlie Beach didn’t work. "There's no need for it. There is more violence after 3am, and I have lost business because of it."

London abolished the lockout and extended pubs' opening hours in November 2005. They did this to combat alcohol fuelled violence. And it worked.

There is no proof that a lockout will decrease violence or decrease drinking in Melbourne. On the contrary, it will more likely increase conflict as more people spill out onto the street.

We all know the effect of the Federal Governments quick fix on binge drinking. The tax on pre-mix drinks has seen a 40% decline in sales, with a massive 20% increase in bottled spirits. Whether teenagers or not, mixing drinks yourself normally produces more potent cocktails.

Yet again, the lockout will produce an effect opposite to the one desired. Binge drinking and alcohol fuelled violence needs a deep seated solution, not a knee-jerk reaction.

If there was more policing of danger areas, drunken violence - which has always existed and always will - would not be such a problem.

Another major factor is that drunks cannot even rely on a cab ride home. It's impossible to find a taxi on a Saturday night in Melbourne, and I myself have sometimes walked hours to get home.

Many people do not have the luxury of living in walking distance to their bars, restaurants or clubs. It is these people that may be left stranded on the streets, drinking more, causing more havoc and violence and making Melbourne even more dangerous than before this foolish lockout.

Melbourne needs a 24 hour transport public transport system, so we can all reach home when we want to. Even a train and tram running once every half hour would do the trick. I would hate for more people to resort to drink driving just to get home.

Innocent civilians should not shoulder the effects of a limited police force and a non-existent public transport system.

Brumby's proposal is destroying our rights to freedom of choice and making a mockery of Melbourne's internationally renowned bar/club scene.

Who is this policy meant to benefit? It will damage Melbourne's nightlife and do more harm than good. It is simply not fair.

John Brumby, I call on you to postpone the trial. Give representatives a chance to talk through better solutions to curb binge drinking and combat violence.