Political push to repeal Sydney’s 1.30am lockout laws
A POLITICAL fight to wind back Sydney’s strict lockout laws is set for state Parliament next week after the Shooters, Farmers and Fishers Party announced a new bill targeting the controversial measures.
NSW
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A POLITICAL fight to wind back Sydney’s strict lockout laws is set for state Parliament next week after the Shooters, Farmers and Fishers Party announced a new bill targeting the controversial measures.
MP Robert Borsak said the rules banning patrons entering or re-entering venues after 1.30am in the CBD and Kings Cross were “killing the city”.
“No other international city of similar standing to Sydney has such a law striking at the heart of its night-life,” he said.
He gave notice of a bill to repeal the 1.30am lockout, to be debated on October 25.
Although the Shooters party does not hold the numbers to pass legislation on its own, Mr Borsak said it would force the Berejiklian government’s hand on the issue following reports earlier this month that Deputy Premier John Barilaro wanted the laws repealed.
“Every single Member of Parliament will have the chance to have their say on these lockout laws and it will be up to them to explain their position to their constituents and Sydney’s small business owners,” Mr Borsak said.
“The Deputy Premier has two options: put up, or shut up. He can either support my bill, or stop paying lip-service to proposals he has no intention of really supporting.”
He said only three Parliamentary sitting weeks are left for 2018 before the state election, “so time is running out to repeal these lockouts”.
The laws were introduced in February 2014 to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence in the wake of two fatal bashings.