The question of whether lock out laws have killed Sydney’s night life has been the subject of much debate and has been circulating social media for quite some time now. In February this year, former High Court Judge Ian Callinan was appointed to oversee a review into Sydney’s lockout laws.
The NSW Police Minister Troy Grant said,
“The Callinan Review will provide an independent, open and transparent assessment of the state’s liquor laws, focusing on the facts, to advise the New South Wales Government on the future of these laws”…”I encourage everyone to have their say, it will be taken on board and Mr Callinan’s job will be to compile all that and make the appropriate recommendations to Government.” (ABC News)
The time has come for said commission to bear fruit, with today being the last day for submissions to be made. In true fashionably late style the city of Sydney themselves (who are the big power players here) have entered a submission with no less than 31 recommendations that would ultimately seek to obliterate lockout laws and put in place measures that actually aim to EFFECTIVELY reduce alcohol related violence. And, in a way that doesn’t destroy the culture and vibrancy of the city.
Some suggestions include:
- A 12-month trial exemption from the 1:30am lockout for well-managed premises and live music venues,
- A reconsideration of the 3am ‘last drinks’ rule depending on the venue’s compliance history, planning controls and local factors,
- The introduction of extended train services on Friday and Saturday nights to coincide with venue closing times; ensuring people can get home quickly, safely and no longer have loiter on the streets.
In a statement announcing the recommendations, Lord Mayor Clover Moore nailed it with some absolute truth bombs.
“Rather than addressing the real problems, the NSW Government’s response was to introduce a blanket lockout across the city center and Kings Cross… It was a sledgehammer when what we needed was a well-researched, evidence based, flexible response using transport, planning, licensing and police.” (news.com)
Can I get an AMEN!?!
Perhaps now with some well researched and thought out initiatives that address the problems of alcohol fueled violence instead of simply patching them up with restrictions, Sydney has a chance a regaining its pulse. It finally appears as though we will be able to have our beers and drink them too.
Find out the issues of surrounding the lockout debate in Lock Out or Cop Out?
Watch the debate unfold for yourself on The Feed Forum: Lockout Laws