Gladys Berejiklian’s Cabinet makes a push to roll back Sydney’s lockout laws before election
THE debate over lockout laws could be back in the spotlight as a push within Gladys Berejiklian’s Cabinet to make Sydney fun again gains momentum as the state government fights to gain traction ahead of the election next year, writes Anna Caldwell.
Opinion
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THERE is a push on within Gladys Berejiklian’s Cabinet to make Sydney fun again.
Sydney’s lockout laws are firmly back on the political agenda, with the chance their continuation could become an election issue when the state goes to the polls next year.
More than half of Berejiklian’s Cabinet supports a wind back of the current laws, with Nationals leader John Barilaro leading the charge.
That’s right — a chippie from Queanbeyan is the bloke pushing to give Sydney night-life a boost.
Ministers supporting the change argue that it would be an olive branch to businesses who have been stung by the light rail construction and have lost money and business thanks to ugly hoardings and construction.
Berejiklian has indicated she believes the balance is “about right” where the laws are right now.
She is also strongly influenced by police data showing a demonstrable reduction in alcohol-related violence and presentations at hospital emergency departments.
However, the restrictions remain a great concern to Sydney night life and Berejiklian will certainly face a concerted push from Cabinet ministers who have been agitating for the Premier to take a stand on issues that can capture the minds of the electorate.
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Her colleagues want her to be bold and take risks, saying that in the current climate and with the risk of voters taking out their anger at the federal Liberals on the state government, it doesn’t pay to be timid.
Winding back lockout laws is one move many Cabinet ministers believe would be a case of fortune favouring the brave.
It’s a fact if Berejiklian does move towards a wind-back, she will immediately have an election issue on her hands with Labor almost certain to oppose any changes.
Under the plan being put forward, Kings Cross would be excluded from any wind-back, but 1.30am lockouts would be cut in the city completely.
“Isn’t it time Sydney grows up?” one senior strategist in favour of the push said.
“It’s a great opportunity to revitalise the businesses that have been hard done by the light rail.
“It’s an opportunity to turn on the lights.”
The issue will be on the agenda this week, with the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party tabling a private bill for a wind-back in a bid to force the governments’ hand on Thursday.
The same day, the Keep Sydney Open Coalition will host a rally, marching through Martin Place.
One senior Liberal said, politically, there was “no downside” to the idea, but the challenge of taking on the police was too great and Berejiklian would not do it.
“The Nationals have been a full step ahead of the curve in predicting and reflecting public thinking than the Liberal Party in recent years,” this Liberal strategist said.
“They do more polling and focus groups. They have a better read on where the public mind is.
“But we don’t always listen to them for a range of reasons.”
In extraordinary remarks, this Liberal said he believed Nationals leader John Barilaro is “more plugged in than we are”.
Still, this strategist and several others do not believe the Premier will take the risk.
If the government does wind the laws back, it will face a concerted advertising campaign from unions.
The Health Services Union’s Gerard Hayes said he expected the Police Association, Nurses Association and others would strongly rally against moves to dilute lockouts.
His own union would likely mount an advertising campaign, he said.
“People will die. The government will have blood on its hands.
“And I mean literally,” Hayes said.
Asked if his union would engage in an advertising campaign against the government on the matter he said “definitely”.
“There needs to be more than a populist view when it comes to keeping people safe,” he said.
“These are matters of life and death, not political pointscoring.”
Hayes said there was concern paramedics’ safety would decrease and hospital presentations would increase.
There is also data to back Hayes’s position.
Statistics show the lockout laws have reduced non-domestic assault by 49 per cent in the Kings Cross precinct since 2014 and 13 per cent in the CBD.
This may partly explain why those pushing the plan don’t want to change the Kings Cross restrictions.
Data seen by The Daily Telegraph also shows the reduction of violence in Kings Cross and the CBD far outweighs the displacement of alcohol- related violence with a net decrease of more than 600 incidents.
This is the fodder Labor and the unions would use to fight the government if it moved to ease restrictions.
The fact is, if Berejiklian does take a stand, she would set the stage for a real contest of ideas.
Her colleagues want her to stand for something.
Her bold call to halve migration numbers was one instance of her doing just that — sticking her neck out on a controversial issue — and it works well for a Premier who is seen as playing it too safe.
Lockout laws would be another opportunity.
But only Berejiklian knows if she’s willing to fight the police in the run up to the election.