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On-Premise | The Update on Sydney’s Lockout Laws
CBD is free to trade but what about Kings Cross?
IT WAS ANNOUNCED BY NSW PREMIER GLADYS BEREJIKLIAN THAT SYDNEY’S CONTROVERSIAL 1.30 AM LOCKOUT LAWS WILL BE REPEALED IN THE CBD BY THE END OF THE YEAR BUT WILL REMAIN IN KINGS CROSS WHERE THE BULK OF THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE TO BUSINESSES.
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The Lock-Out Laws were introduced after the one-punch deaths of Thomas Kelly and Daniel Christie in 2014 that were the result of alcohol-fuelled violence. Since then, Sydney’s night-time economy has suffered hugely, along with its reputation around the world as an international city. International visitors struggle to understand why Sydney all but shuts down not long after midnight. Many businesses ceased trading altogether because the laws made them unsustainable. Those that closed their doors included The Soho, Hugos Bar and Lounge and The Exchange Hotel.
Justin Hemmes of the Merivale Group called the lockout laws an embarrassment during his hearing at the NSW parliamentary enquiry. He cited the time when Madonna was locked out of her own after-party held in one of his venues and when the coach of the Chelsea Football Club could not re-enter a venue after briefly stepping outside to take a phone call. Hemmes said at the hearing, “With respect, Sydney’s lockout laws must go. They have served their purpose and Sydney has been recast.”
The advocates for change still have a fight with groups such as The Last Drinks Coalition and the Keep Sydney Safe campaign that represents emergency service workers in NSW criticising the move.
The Keep Sydney Open political party welcomes the move but is concerned it is not including Kings Cross. Its Facebook page read, “If it’s possible to remove the lockouts in the massive CBD, what’s the deal with the Cross? Is the NSW Liberal Party saying they are incapable of managing 150 metres worth of venues? If so, quit and put someone else in charge who can like they do in every other international city around the world. Or is there another agenda here?”
A report released in August by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research suggested that initially, the laws were successful in reducing the number of assaults, but the positive effect decreased with time. It stated since the lockout laws took effect non-domestic assaults dropped 53 per cent in Kings Cross and four per cent in the CBD. In the same period, however, assaults rose by 30 per cent at alternative nightspots accessible from the city. This would suggest the laws are not resolving the problem but moving it elsewhere.
“Is the NSW Liberal Party saying they are incapable of managing 150 metres worth of venues? If so, quit and put someone else in charge who can like they do in every other international city around the world” – Keep Sydney Open party spokesperson.
A MESSAGE FROM ALCOHOL BEVERAGES AUSTRALIA
Alcohol Beverages Australia (ABA) welcomes the announcement by Premier Gladys Berejiklian stating that the lockout laws should be rolled back, “It’s time to enhance Sydney’s night-life…we need to step it up”, the Premier said.
This announcement comes before the release of the report due in coming weeks by a joint parliamentary committee into Sydney’s night-time economy.
Over 800 submissions were received by the enquiry, and ABA appeared before the Select Committee along with Spirits and Cocktails, and Diageo.
Our key points were to relax the laws- across the whole city, including Kings Cross, while at the same time ensuring that the environment for people is safe. We proposed a range of checks and balances in our submission so that responsible drinking is encouraged, and we also wanted to see Sydney become more like European cities, with groups of friends and families enjoying late-night street markets, food fairs, and music etc.
Policy and Government Relations Manager, Gohar Yazbadadi says “We
hope the change that Premier Berejiklian is expecting to see from rolling back the laws does indeed stimulate the night-time economy. There has been a loss of 2000 jobs and an estimated loss of $ 1.4 billion from the city, and we need to get that back.” - Kerri Osborne, Media and Communications Manager, Alcohol Beverages Australia
