Mr Hinchey said there was not enough evidence lockouts were an effective tool for reducing assaults and the government should instead focus on staggering mandatory closing times.

His comments come after the ACT government sought consultation on a range of possible measures to reduce violence in the city, such as earlier closing times for bars, lockouts and setting minimum prices for alcohol.

The consultation was prompted by disturbing revelations of alcohol use and abuse in the city with assaults increasing since 2010 despite reforms, with incidents peaking between midnight and 6am.

"In my role as Victims of Crime Commissioner I have provided support to an unfortunately high number of people who have been seriously affected by alcohol related violence," Mr Hinchey said.

"I have observed young men whose lives have been ruined by an unprovoked attack involving an aggressor who is intoxicated, often while inside or outside businesses licensed to sell alcohol under the Liquor Act 2010."

Rather than supporting a lockout policy, which would see people refused entry to a club or bar after a set time, Mr Hinchey recommended venues be required to stop selling alcohol at least 30 minutes before closing. He said all venues should be closed by 3am.

Currently, the standard hours for bars and clubs are 7am till midnight although they can apply to stay open longer, with 89 operating after midnight. Forty-eight are open after 3am, closing as late as 5am, many of them in the city.

Mr Hinchey said his submission to the government was based on a strong desire to see a reduction in the number of victims of alcohol related violence, and to protect their families.

"Severe disabilities (short and long-term) can result in the loss of employment and access to education, spiralling into severe financial disadvantage," he said.

"These stressors have a profound impact on the loved ones of victims, many of whom find themselves unexpectedly caring for their adult children, siblings or partners."

The ACT Alcohol Policy Alliance, which represents 47 organisations including the ACT Australian Medical Association, called on the government to introduce a 1am lockout and said it would not have a devastating impact on the economy.

"The purpose of these measures is to reduce the availability of alcohol during late night trade to reduce high levels of alcohol harms," the submission said.

The alliance said alcohol remained a significant cause of harm to the Canberra community and action needed to be taken by the government.

"The impact of this harm is reflected in alcohol-related emergency department presentations in ACT, with more than 18 people a day presenting because of an alcohol-related injury," the submission said.

There had been a 32 per cent increase in alcohol-related emergency presentations – from 5084 to 6702 – in the four years from 2009-10.

Canberra CBD chief executive Jane Easthope called on the government to support the night-time economy rather than restrict it.

"The government could investigate conducting a 12 month trial concentrating on establishing on longer night-time trade in the CBD that serves the whole of the Canberra region while shortening trade elsewhere," she said.

"Detailed data collected across the winter and summer behavioural periods could inform a Canberra solution rather than a solution driven by the experiences elsewhere in places such as Sydney, Newcastle and Geelong."

Australia's third largest alcohol supplier Diageo also urged the ACT government to avoid introducing lockouts and restricting hours.

"It is important to strike the right balance between the rights of the overwhelming majority of Australians who drink responsibly and the goal of addressing alcohol-related harm," the Diageo submission said.