Australia day has been and gone - Anzac day is yet to come. Many people will welcome it with fear and trepidation because of the anticipated mayhem caused by packs of young people, many of them draped with the Australian flag.
It seems that just about any public holiday is now becoming an excuse for groups of young men - and now often young women - to get blind drunk and exert the " pack mentality " associated with wild animals such as wolves.
They roam the streets smashing beer bottles, harassing others that catch their attention and damaging cars, homes and public facilities. It seems to be a mindless rampage to draw attention and be obnoxious.
The amazing thing is that as individuals most of them are nice people, reasonably considerate - and obviously someone's son or daughter. Yet when they form a pack with others their behaviour becomes entirely out of character.
The one evident " trigger " for this mayhem is - alcohol !
Alcohol free zone legislation has been tried - and failed. Increasing the price of popular drinks has been tried - and failed. What is the next step to regain our streets on public holidays ?
A police crackdown would be the choice of many, but even that has it's limitations.
There are necessary laws governing civil liberties. Citizens are permitted to have a drink and citizens are permitted to join friends to celebrate. How many restrictions are possible before we have crossed the line into a society which could be described as a " police state ? "
Closing clubs and pubs early or restricting the sale of alcohol would only interfere with the rights of ordinary, well behaved citizens. The " hoons " would stockpile for coming events, and nothing would change.
So far there is no answer in sight. Because of this ongoing pack behavior many of the things we previously enjoyed are being withdrawn. Many clubs and pubs have ceased running " Two-up " schools on Anzac day because of crowd trouble.
Australia has always been a tolerant society. Unless we can find a solution to these pack rampages change will be forced upon us and the organizers of public events will scale them down - or abandon them entirely.
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