Lockout laws: NSW Police union has a rethink about controversial scheme

EXCLUSIVE: The powerful NSW Police Association has thrown its weight behind a possible move to extend lockout times past the current 1.30am and allowing some bottle shops to trade after 8pm.

The Australian Hotels Association is pushing for change.

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THE NSW Police Association has thrown its weight behind a possible move to change the state’s controversial lockout laws, if there was no negative effect on the progress in curbing drunken violence.

Association president Scott Weber said his members would consider supporting some changes — including an extension past the current lockout time of 1.30am.

He said other changes including allowing some bottle shops to trade after 10pm could also have the blessing of police, provided there was evidence to show it would have no impact on public safety.

Kings Cross has been hardest hit by the lockout laws. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

With the government’s review into the lockout laws due to report in August, Mr Weber confirmed the association might be prepared to support changes but said there is no way police would support moving closing times in the city past 3am.

The Australian Hotels Association is pushing for change, with later bottle shop closing the No. 1 priority, followed by later lockouts.

Mr Weber said one proposal he had heard was for lockout times to change but for the government to have the capacity for a pub or club to have their lockout times pushed forward to midnight or 12:30am if they were registered as a problem venue.

National Party MPs want a change in bottle shop times, particularly in rural areas where there is anger over not being able to order takeaway alcohol after 10pm.

“The Last Drinks Coalition which is nurses, doctors and ambulance officers, die in a ditch on trading hours (closing times) but the rest of the arguments have to be evidence based,” Mr Weber said.

NSW Police Association president Scott Weber / Picture: John Gass

“All I have said is we would have a conversation.

“The AHA are talking about it (later lockout times).

“If they’re going to have those conversations (around bottle shop closing and when lockouts start) we’re quite happy to have those conversations but it’s got to be on evidence. We’re willing to have a look.”

Lockout laws have led to quiet Sydney streets at night.