A review of licensing laws for venues operating after midnight is needed says the Police Association of Tasmania.
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Association president Colin Riley said the state's COVID-19 restrictions had highlighted the impact of excessive late-hour alcohol consumption.
"This is obvious in the massive reduction of assaults against members of the public and police officers," Mr Riley said.
In the Launceston police division, for the month of April this year compared to last year there has been a 58 per cent decrease in public place assaults involving alcohol or drugs reported to police and a 27 per cent decrease in public order incidents.
In the Hobart police division, over the past 30 days compared to the same period last year, public place assaults involving alcohol or drugs reported to police decreased by 89 per cent, public order incidents reduced by 49 per cent and the issue of liquor infringement notices decreased by 87 per cent.
Mr Riley said the state government had a unique opportunity to positively impact public safety, particularly for young adults, by reducing out-of-hours permits and preventing alcohol-related violence.
"Venue owners have indicated to our members that there is very little income generated after 2am - they are only open 'because everyone else is'," he said.
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"We are not asking for a blanket withdrawal of permits, but an urgent review of the need for venues to remain open to 4am or 5am.
"Alternatively, inspectors for the Licensing Commission should be working between 2am and 5am because it's their job to police those venues.
"No one is policing what the venues are doing and whether they are complying with responsible service of alcohol."
He said the Hobart entertainment precinct, on the city's waterfront, was of particular concern due to a number of recent incidents.
"We've had some deaths there - the one-punch assault, we've had two drownings. But this stuff has been going at Hobart's waterfront for three decades and there's been no change," he said.
Attorney-General Elise Archer said Tasmania had robust licensing laws in place and encouraged the association to engage with the Commissioner for Licensing and stakeholders on this topic.
Police Minister Mark Shelton said a discussion about this was already underway between the Commissioner for Licensing and a late-night stakeholder group from the Hobart precinct.
"They are looking at what can be done in that area to ensure the safety of patrons," Mr Shelton said.
"We will all be interested in the feedback that comes from that process."