For and against: Should lockout laws be eradicated in Sydney?
Since their introduction, Sydney’s lockout laws have been a subject of intense debate. Is our city’s night-life under threat, or will loosening the laws just lead to more carnage? Both sides have their say...
Is Sydney’s night-life under threat or are we better off because of the lockout laws? Last Drinks Coalition spokesman, Dr Tony Sara, and leader of Keep Sydney Open, Tyson Koh, have their say.
LAWS ARE DOING AS THEY WERE DESIGNED
DR TONY SARA
Sydney must not go backwards and reverse the lockout laws which have done so much to save lives and prevent mayhem on our city’s streets.
Should there be a relaxation in the regulations, there is no doubt that Sydney’s streets will once again be flooded with alcohol-fuelled violence. It’s all but guaranteed that we will see a dramatic increase in assaults, sexual assaults, injuries and deaths.
And the effects will go far beyond the hot spots of trouble. 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 facts are clear. Sydney’s successful alcohol laws have saved lives and prevented thousands of injuries.
Just look at the numbers. After the laws were introduced, Kings Cross saw a 59.2 per cent decrease in assaults between 6pm and 1.30am and a staggering 93.9 per cent decrease between 3am and 6am.
MORE ON LOCKOUT LAWS:
Lockout laws to be reviewed to revive Sydney’s night-life
How lockout laws have improved bar etiquette
Incidences of indecent and sexual assault in Kings Cross, the primary victims being women, have both reduced by almost 50%.
St Vincent’s Hospital saw a 50% reduction in serious head injuries between 8pm and 8am. All of these successes are now at risk.
Since the alcohol laws were introduced in January 2014, we’ve seen an 50% drop in assaults in Kings Cross and a 13% decrease in assaults in the Sydney CBD.
On average, that’s 30 fewer assaults in Kings Cross and the CBD every month since 2014. That’s more than 1800 assaults that didn’t happen and 1800 fights police didn’t have to break up.
Since 2014, thanks to our successful laws, more than 360 people have been spared serious alcohol-related injury and over 75 people have been saved from serious head injuries.
Our successful alcohol laws have also delivered a 50% drop in indecent and sexual assault in Kings Cross, meaning Sydney’s streets are now a much safer place for women.
Without them, the alcohol industry privatises the profits and socialises the costs.
It would be extraordinarily reckless for any political party to put us at risk by repealing these successful and lifesaving laws.
What makes it all the more frustrating is that in 2016 the government looked at the laws via the Callinan Review and found that they were indeed sound.
The Callinan Review confirmed that Sydney’s alcohol laws had been highly successful and achieved massive reductions in violence and injury, in the process saving countless lives. Watering down these successful alcohol laws further will only lead to increased violence and deaths.
Additionally, opening times for licensed premises have already been extended half an hour to accommodate live music venues. The idea that Sydney’s night-life has died because of the laws simply doesn’t hold up.
A recent City of Sydney report confirmed that Sydney drink venues were booming in 2017. We’ve also seen increases in establishments (+4.9%), employment (+8.7%) and turnover (+6.5%), well above the NSW and national averages. Overall sales also rose by 6.3% and the city’s night-time economy is now worth $4.05 billion.
Sydney’s night-life is stronger than ever and growing stronger every year, likely in no small part because these laws have made going out safer and more attractive to locals and tourists alike. We do not want a return to the bad old days.
* Dr Tony Sara is spokesman for the Last Drinks Coalition
INTERNATIONAL CITY NEEDS BETTER RULES
TYSON KOH
The lockout laws have become as entwined in Sydney’s identity as our beaches and harbour. Along with the praise, visitors to our blessed city also spread tales of dark empty streets and nights out that ended prematurely.
It’s true — we’ve become known as a city of killjoys over the last half decade. In that time, however, criticism of the lockouts has escalated culminating in countless think pieces, numerous protests and the launch of the Keep Sydney Open political party. The laws now have almost no supporters among the state’s cross bench, so it quite right for the NSW Government announce a committee to re-examine Sydney’s curfew.
The State Government’s negligent handling of our night time economy costs us $16 billion per year, according to the ImagineSydney: Play report produced by Deloitte and supported by the NSW Government.
More importantly it has cost jobs, damaged our music sector and hurt our international reputation.
We were doomed to this fate since this saga began because we asked the wrong questions.
The only answer we sought was how to make the city safer. The question that should have been asked was: how do we make the city safer while encouraging our night-time economy at the same time?
Our argument early on was that this could have been achieved by introducing 24-hour public transport and minor tweaks licensing and law enforcement strategies.
A more measured approach is expected this time around, as the committee will be required to balance safety with stakeholders’ interests, while being directed to “enhance Sydney’s night time economy”.
The world’s greatest cities never sleep, or at least, provide a choice.
We no longer operate on a 9-to-5 schedule: some work to international timelines, others work night shifts, and others simply enjoy a good night out. A global, competitive city needs to reflects the diversity of lifestyles we now have.
It’s time to write the new chapter in Sydney’s story, where we are praised for our wonder both day and night.
* Tyson Koh is Leader of Keep Sydney Open
Albanese’s ‘great’ call with Trump turned out to be a dud, so why can’t Dutton capitalise?
The Prime Minister’s failure to get an Australian exemption from American steel and aluminium tariffs is emblematic of his all talk, no action style, writes James Morrow.
What Albo needs to do to dodge Trump’s tariffs
Anthony Albanese’s pitch to avoid Donald Trump’s tariffs is simple: we are not ripping anyone off. The President appears to have listened, but the PM has not convinced him yet.