Ask For Angela Campaign Rolling Out Across State

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

It's hoped the new 'Ask for Angela' safety campaign being rolled out by the State Government will soon make its way to the Hunter.

The campaign encourages patrons at participating venues to ask staff for 'Angela' if they feel unsafe, triggering an automatic response from staff who will discreetly assist the patron by escorting them to safety or contacting authorities.

'Ask for Angela' was launched in venues across the Sydney CBD over the weekend and University of Newcastle Criminology lecturer, Dr Xanthe Mallett, would like to see it rolled out in the Hunter.

Dr Mallett says the key to the program's success is that worried patrons won't feel pressured to explain the details of their situation, and venue staff will be correctly trained in how to respond.

"It gives people a really quick, simple way of expressing concern that other people can understand," Dr Mallett said.

"Even if it's just one person, even that is better than the current situation that we have."

Originating in England, the 'Ask for Angela' campaign has already been trialled successfully across New South Wales in Wagga Wagga, Albury, Orange and Byron Bay.

Picture: Liquor & Gaming NSW

Tony Brown still undecided about running for council

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

A long-time advocate for lock-out-laws in Newcastle, Independent Tony Brown is still undecided whether or not he will run in the Newcastle local government elections.

The significant cost of running, both personally and electorally, plus the need for substantial resources is what has left him undecided.

The statement comes after Brown was included in recent phone survey for local government elections conducted by Australian Hotels Association (AHA) without his knowledge.

He says his inclusion in the survey without permission is "highly irregular" for the organisation.

"Really what the AHA are doing is undermining not only the Newcastle success in preventing alcohol related violence, but they're undermining our democratic transparent electoral process by giving undue influence by those parties who want to support them," Brown said. 

However, Tony Brown says if he did decide to run for council and he was elected, the community would see a big difference.

"It's about providing firm strong leadership in Newcastle, somebody who would listen to the community and ensure the decisions were made involving the community and the community are looking for someone who is genuinely prepared to represent Newcastle at the highest levels," said Brown.