The Health Policy Triangle And The Sydney “Lockout” Case.

The Health Policy Triangle And The Sydney “Lockout” Case.

Health Policy Triangle Essay

Instructions: Context, content(‘evidence’), actors(or ‘stakeholders’), and processes(decision-making structures) are key to understanding and influencing public health policy. Use the policy triangle application to explain how these elements interacted in the ‘lock-out’ case study (provide references as necessary).

Solution.

The Health Policy Triangle And The Sydney “Lockout” Case.

The concept of the policy triangle unites three distinct facets of a policy that determine its feasibility and viability. This triangle encompasses the policy’s substantive content, the surrounding contextual factors, and the procedural processes that underlie the policy. The individuals involved in enacting the policy occupy a central role within this framework, as they are integral to all key aspects of the policy triangle. (1) Absent these actors, the essential elements of processes, content, and context would be absent as well. The subsequent analysis will explore the various applications of the policy triangle framework within the context of the ‘lockout’ and ‘last drink’ initiatives in Sydney’s CBD. To achieve effective policy outcomes, it is imperative for these three core elements of the policy triangle to synergistically interact. However, it should be noted that mere interaction is insufficient; genuine integration of these central elements is imperative to maximize policy effectiveness (1,2).

The essence encompassed within the health policy triangle pertains to the material encapsulated within a specific policy (3). This constitutes the fundamental argument or primary objective of said policy. Within the context of the ‘lockout’ scenario, the core content revolves around the implementation of lockout laws, aimed at mitigating alcohol-related crime, injuries arising from late-night drinking, and curtailing instances of alcohol-induced violence (4). Consequently, the primary intention of the policy’s introduction was to safeguard lives and curb significant assaults arising from nocturnal alcohol consumption (5). However, the ‘lockout’ situation comprises contrasting perspectives. While some perceive it as ineffective, others deem it a remedy for the previous surge in criminal incidents within the city (6). An additional dimension of the case’s content is the evaluation of its benefits for relevant stakeholders and its overall efficacy among all involved parties. While the measure of effectiveness resides within the contextual domain, the broader impact entails a content-based policy analysis. Also examined within the ‘lockout’ narrative is the contribution made by Mr. Barrie’s submission and its influence on the entire ‘lockout’ discourse. This submission introduces fresh measures and evidence to challenge the notion that lockout laws would be advantageous for the general populace (7). It highlights the fact that only a minority would actually benefit from the implementation of such laws.

The primary challenge confronting the lockout policy revolves around the formidable task of reconciling opposing factions to reach a substantial consensus (8). During its initial implementation, the lockout laws exhibited efficacy in grappling with the substantial and unmanageable crime predicament. However, the central counterargument contends that the policy tends to exhibit favoritism towards major enterprises like casinos while adversely affecting smaller businesses. Furthermore, the policy grapples with the predicament of intruding upon other facets of life in its pursuit of preserving lives and ensuring order. The policy’s trajectory has yielded a composite of positive and negative evidence. Detractors of the policy point to its negative influence on the nighttime economy, which in turn undermines its contribution to Sydney’s economic enhancement (9). This assertion gains traction from the temporal limitations on sales, ultimately restricting revenue generation (6). Barrie characterizes this phenomenon as an undue strain on financial performance. Similarly, critiques have been directed at evidence presented by proponents of the law. Nonetheless, proponents furnish compelling evidence that resists easy refutation. A notable example is the substantial reduction in nighttime assaults within the city (10). This decline is attributed to the introduction of lockout laws in conjunction with early nightclub closures. Additional evidence provided by proponents highlights the diminished health hazards and injuries stemming from violence attributable to late-night drinking. In fact, preceding research, though contested by Barrie, had indicated a reduction in deaths resulting from injuries (9).

            There are a different actors in the ‘lockout’ policy case. First, the parliament. For the law to be passed, it has to go through parliament where it receives backing, and it is later introduced into the city. (11) On the same note, there are those who support the idea and before its initialization, they called upon the government to put measures that will ensure that the late night assaults and violence are reduced. Other stakeholders that are affected by the policy are business people in the entertainment industry. They are those who run large businesses that are said to be impacted positively while there are those that are said to be affected negatively since their businesses are relatively smaller. (12) On the same note, there are those who oppose the policy since they feel it influences the city in a wrong way.         

            The process in the policy will start from the time when the policy was introduced as a bill in the parliament. It was later made into law and supported by the government in place. (13, 9) The policy was then introduced into the different nightclubs in the city to try to save and protect lives that were believed to be in danger due to the violence acts that were as a result of late night drinking. In an aim to satisfy the various stakeholders, the law in itself did not lock out the nightclubs for the entire night, but thought it wise to curb the number of hours. (14) The lockout case can be said to be a systematic process since it has future goals but it started with ensuring that the number of crimes and assaults is reduced considerably. (15)

References

  1. Buse K, Mays N, Walt G. The Health Policy Framework: Context, Process, And Actors – Chapter 1, In Making Health Policy (2nd Ed). [Internet]Open University Press, 2012 [Cited 2016 September 9th] Available From:   Http://Opac.Library.Usyd.Edu.Au:80/Record=B4345798~S4
  2. Buse K, Mays N, Walt G. Power And The Policy Process – Chapter 2, In Making Health Policy (2nd Ed).[Internet] Open University Press, 2012 [Cited 2016 September 9th] Available From Http://Opac.Library.Usyd.Edu.Au:80/Record=B4345798~S4
  3. Althaus C, Bridgman P, Davis G, Allen, Unwin. A Policy Cycle – Chapter 3, In The Australian Policy Handbook (5th Ed) [Internet], 2013 [Cited 2016 September 9th] Available From: Http://Opac.Library.Usyd.Edu.Au:80/Record=B4459187~S4
  4. Chikritzhs T, Gilmore W, Rechichi V, Allsop S. SUBMISSION TO THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE IMPACT OF LIQUOR LAW REFORMS IN NSW.
  5. Weatherburn D. What Does Research Tell Us About The Impact Of Recent Liquor License Restrictions On Violence In New South Wales? Current Issues in Criminal Justice. 2016 Jun; 28(1):97.
  6. Menendez P, Weatherburn D, Kypri K, Fitzgerald J. Lockouts And Last Drinks: The Impact Of The January 2014 Liquor Licence Reforms On Assaults In NSW, Australia. BOCSAR NSW Crime and Justice Bulletins. 2015:12.
  7. Kypri K. Evidence of Harm from Late Night Alcohol Sales Continues to Strengthen Addiction. 2015 Jun 1; 110(6):965-6.
  8. Kypri K, Mcelduff P, Miller P. Restrictions in Pub Closing Times And Lockouts in Newcastle, Australia Five Years on. Drug and Alcohol Review. 2014 May 1; 33(3):323-6.
  9. Quilter J. Sydney’s Lockout Laws: Cutting Crime or Civil Liberties? Current Issues in Criminal Justice. 2016 Jun; 28(1):93.
  10. Fulde GW, Smith M, Forster SL. Presentations With An Alcohol-Related Serious Injury To A Major Sydney Trauma Hospital After 2014 Changes To Liquor Laws. Medical Journal of Australia. 2015 Nov 2; 203(9):366.
  11. Conigrave K. Last Drinks Laws: A Health Perspective. Current Issues in Criminal Justice. 2016 Jun; 28(1):111.
  12. Dinh MM, Wu J, Ivers R. Has There Been A Shift In Alcohol‐Related Violence To Neighboring Inner City ‘Lockout Law’ exclusion Areas In Sydney?. Emergency Medicine Australasia. 2016 Jan 1.
  13. Race K. The Sexuality of the Night: Violence and Transformation. Current Issues in Criminal Justice. 2016 Jun; 28(1):105.
  14. Liu T, Ferris J, Higginson A, Lynham A. Systematic Review Of Australian Policing Interventions To Reduce Alcohol-Related Violence—A Maxillofacial Perspective. Addictive Behaviors Reports. 2016 Dec 31; 4:1-2.
  15. Shakeshaft A, Farrell M. Re: Liquor Law Review for the NSW Government’s Justice Department.
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