Push to ensure Adelaide’s night-life replicates Melbourne, not Sydney

Sydney’s lock out laws have devastated that city’s night-life and reputation. But SA police say anecdotal evidence suggest Adelaide’s work as calls grow for a rethink.

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Adelaide’s new deputy mayor has joined a chorus of calls for a rethink on the city’s lock out laws, arguing current rules overwhelmingly disadvantage those doing the right thing.

As the State Government prepares to review the rules, there is an internal push within its ranks, backed by the hotel industry, to re-evaluate laws that stop patrons moving between pubs after 3am.

Campaigner say the push will prevent Adelaide’s night economy suffering like Sydney’s amid a clampdown on its social scene.

But police say the laws have “anecdotally” cut assaults, violence and other anti-social behaviour.

Alex Hyde, 26, who was last week sworn in as Adelaide’s new deputy mayor, said while he wants to “tread softly, softly” the laws’ broad impacts need review.

“When we think about the lock out laws we focus a lot on community safety but that is very difficult to measure,” he told the Sunday Mail.

“I think it is time to revisit them to see if they are working properly for business as well.

“The lock out laws punish everyone and disproportionately punish people that are doing the right thing.”

Liberal MP Sam Duluk, who has been advocating for a review into the lock out laws, said the reasons are two-fold.

A late night view of Hindley Street in March this year.

“Every time regulation is brought in it is prudent to do a review,” he said.

“And what type of night life and vibrancy do we want in the city.”

“We have seen lock out laws have been an abject failure in Sydney in the vibrancy of the city

“In Adelaide we are seeing some of the same issues across the city, including the East End which is a quieter precinct than it was five or ten years ago.”

Mr Duluk’s views have the support of fellow Liberal MPs including party veteran Terry Stephens, who told the Sunday Mail how it was important Adelaide was a vibrant city.

“I am not sure lock out laws are the panacea to all late night problems,” he said.

Australian Hospitality Association SA General Manager, Ian Horne, said Adelaide’s lock out model sits between Melbourne and Sydney.

“Melbourne celebrates their vibrant 24 hour economy while Sydney is struggling to repair the damage done to late night venues, live music and their city’s reputation because of the impact of their draconian 1:30am lockout in parts of the CBD,” he said.

“Let’s learn from interstate experience to ensure that any restrictions or conditions are based on evidence and not an over-reaction to often unrelated and random incidence of violence.”

SA Police Superintendent Craig Wall said the “lockout laws” restrict the entry to an entertainment venue across the CBD between 3:01am and 7:00am.

“They have anecdotally reduced assaults, violence and anti-social behaviour in the area in addition to a reduction of presentations and severity of assault victims at the Royal Adelaide Hospital,” he said.

Attorney-General Vickie Chapman said the state government will undertake a review into the Late Night Code, including lock out laws, which will be considered next year.

“Any reforms to the Late Night Code will consider the importance of a vibrant night-life in the city alongside community safety,” she said.