MPs introduce bill to amend Sydney’s lockout laws
SYDNEY’S lockout laws have “decimated” business in Kings Cross and the city, NSW State Parliament was told today.Upper House MPs hoping to overturn the controversial laws introduced a new bill which would allow patrons to enter premises after 1.30am.
NSW
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SYDNEY’S lockout laws have “decimated” business in Kings Cross and the city, NSW State Parliament was told today.
Upper House MPs hoping to overturn the controversial laws introduced a new bill today which would allow patrons to enter premises after 1.30am.
According to Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Robert Borsak, foot traffic in Kings Cross has fallen by 84 per cent, and 176 licensed premises have closed in the Sydney CBD and Kings Cross precinct since the restrictions were brought in.
Protesters including musicians and entertainment venue owners gathered outside parliament on Macquarie Street hoping to persuade the Berejiklian Government to wind back the rules.
“Young people regularly come up to me and one of their biggest grudges is the lockout laws,” Mr Borsak said.
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“Businesses have been decimated in the Kings Cross precinct and the Sydney CBD since the lockout laws came into effect.”
He said Kings Cross in particular had changed considerably since the introduction of the laws four and a half years ago. The laws were designed to reduce alcohol fuelled violence.
“It is no longer the late-night destination it was historically,” Mr Borsak said.
“In most global cities, patrons can enter venues up to 24 hours per day — Melbourne, London, Paris, Berlin, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Amsterdam to name just a few.
“Even Singapore, the quintessential Nanny State of the world — allows patrons to visit licensed venues until 4am.”
But emergency services workers called on all members of the NSW Parliament to keep the laws in place.
Last Drinks campaign spokesperson Dr Tony Sara said that if the NSW Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party Bill to repeal the lockouts was successful, alcohol related violence would surge.
“There is no doubt that Sydney’s streets will once again be flooded with alcohol fuelled violence,” he said.
“We’ll see a dramatic increase in assaults, sexual assaults, injuries and deaths.
“Police will once again be taken away from tackling crime in our communities to contain the carnage and our hospital emergency departments will again overflow with young victims.”
The bill has been adjourned and will be voted upon on November 15.