New Adelaide campaign to ‘unlock’ city and have controversial lockout laws scrapped

Controversial late night CBD lockout laws – introduced almost a decade ago – should be scrapped, according to a group formed to ‘Unlock Adelaide’. Vote in our poll.

A new campaign has been launched to have the CBD’s controversial late night lockout scrapped.

The state government is currently reviewing the city’s liquor licensing laws including the contentious banning of entry into pubs and nightclubs after 3am.

The former Labor administration launched the tough “Late Night Code” almost a decade ago to tackle drunken violence in the city, especially in the West End.

The Advertiser has told how struggling Hindley St traders, landlords and industry leaders – subjected to Covid density and other restrictions – want the lockout scrapped.

But organisers of the new campaign, dubbed Unlock Adelaide, are now rallying support from owners and patrons as they ramp up their calls for the lockout to end.

The lockout was designed to control rising anti-social behaviour that led to arrests such as here on Hindley Street on New Year's Day. Picture: Morgan Sette

Mother-of-two Bianca Tropeano, 40, a businesswoman of Adelaide, is leading the push including collecting more than 1000 signatures for a petition last weekend.

Mrs Tropeano, whose father Tony has been a high profile West End landlord and community leader for more than 30 years, said there were better solutions than the lock out.

She said education was better on drugs and alcohol as well as communication or conflict resolution.

She is meeting with various senior government officials this week as she highlights police figures that she says shows the lockout has failed to curb violence.

George-Alexander Mamalis and Bianca Tropeano in Hindley St, where they are launching a new campaign called Unlock Adelaide to have the late night lockout scrapped. Picture: Matt Turner

“Although I’m sure there were very good intentions to try it this way … it hasn’t been effective and that the insistence to keep it is illogical,” she said.

“I’m an absolute advocate for the safety and wellbeing of our city patrons, tourists, staff and residents.

“I’ve not found on solid argument to keep the lockout and insurmountable reasons for its removal.”

The state’s liquor watchdog is seeking comment on a re-examination of the code that was introduced in October 2013.

It stops city patrons moving between licensed venues from 3.01am until 7am while pubs and nightclubs are subject to other strict laws on serving alcohol and increasing security.

The lockout was introduced amid rising Hindley Street violence. Picture: Morgan Sette

Liquor and Gambling Commissioner Dini Soulio said it was the right time to review the code after almost 10 years.

“We should have a good body of evidence available to consider when looking at its effectiveness,” he said.

“Views of both the community and the industry will be essential in this process.

“Because we need to ensure that the intent of the code is fulfilled – namely keeping the

community safe, while supporting a thriving hospitality sector and vibrant night-life.”

An SA Police spokeswoman said officers backed the lockout.

“Police continue to work closely with stakeholders, including Consumer and Business Services, local councils and other emergency services to ensure licensed premises are safely managed in accordance with relevant legislation,” she said.

“Police support the existing lockout laws, as they are a valuable tool to assist with reducing anti-social behaviour.”

The Consumer and Business Services consultation closes on January 20, next year that will guide any decision on new laws.