Sydney lockouts: Pub tycoon Justin Hemmes and St Vincent’s ED director Dr Paul Preisz comment
Rules governing Sydney’s night-life should relax, a new report says. But not everyone is convinced reinvigorating the night-time economy is worth the risk. Pub tsar Justin Hemmes and St Vincent’s Hospital ED director Dr Paul Preisz argue for and against.
Opinion
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The 3000 staff of the Merivale Group and I commend the Joint Parliamentary Committee for its comprehensive and balanced report into the lockout laws.
The committee has concluded that an overhaul is required of the outdated lockout laws and regulations in the CBD, first introduced by the NSW government five years ago.
The imminent launch of Sydney’s CBD light rail project and Metro service will improve transport links across the city, progressing the opportunity to put Sydney back on the international map.
We are sympathetic to the submissions made by organisations who are concerned about the safety and health of patrons at venues.
No one wants to see any increase in alcohol-related violence, whether it be related to licensed premises or due to the consumption of alcohol in private homes or away from venues that are subject to strict management protocols.
No matter the time of day or night, licensed venues are required to always operate in accordance with strict laws as to the responsible service of alcohol.
It is incumbent upon anyone who enjoys alcoholic beverages to do so with maturity and moderation and personal accountability.
Everyone wants to feel safe, no matter what time of day or night and we will work closely with all stakeholders to create a vibrant future for a city with a safe, fun and diverse culture that reflects the 24-hour energy of similar cities, such as Tokyo, London and New York.
Over the past five years since the lockout laws were first introduced, Sydney has matured and our needs have evolved to want a more diversified range of entertainment and hospitality options.
Allowing businesses, and especially hospitality venues, to trade safely and securely for their patrons 24 hours a day is key to unleashing the potential of the re-emergence of our CBD.
Extended trade will enable people to work, shop and socialise at a time convenient to them in the area and remove the after-dark ghost-town experience we currently have.
With the onset of more flexible working hours and continuing growth of tourism to Sydney, it is important that hospitality and entertainment providers are able to cater for people at all hours of the day.
We should take the learnings of successful 24-hour international cities and apply them to Sydney’s CBD, which can regain its place as a leader in tourism and lifestyle for locals.
If we want to be an international city and a city of choice with a flourishing 24-hour economy, Sydney must step up and provide the appropriate governance and structure to enable businesses to fully and properly cater to locals and visitors alike.
Thank you to the Joint Parliamentary Committee for undertaking such a comprehensive, transparent and timely review, which I believe has resulted in well-considered recommendations.
Justin Hemmes is CEO of Merivale
WHEN IT COMES TO NIGHT-LIFE, SAFETY FIRST
The Joint Select Committee’s report on Sydney’s night-time economy — otherwise known as the ‘lockout laws review’ — begins with two chief findings: visitors and community workers have a right to safety in Sydney’s CBD and Kings Cross; and alcohol causes harm.
I couldn’t agree more.
Why then, after reaching these important conclusions, does the committee go on to recommend removing 3am ‘last drinks’ in the CBD and extending trading hours for bottle shops?
It makes no sense.
It’s like saying, “we recognise the harms associated with cars, but let’s relax seatbelt laws”.
Let’s be clear, Sydney is more likely to experience an increase in alcohol-related harm if the Berejiklian government accepts these recommendations and makes alcohol more accessible in the CBD and Oxford Street.
All the evidence tells us, for every extra hour alcohol is sold, there’s an increase in harm.
A trial in Amsterdam in 2015 showed a one-hour extension of alcohol outlet closing times delivered 34 per cent more alcohol-related injuries. In Norway, a study evaluated the effects of both alcohol trading extensions and restrictions on the number of assaults. It found, in both directions, a 16 per cent change in reported assaults with each one-hour adjustment in trading hours.
The NSW government must not succumb to this false narrative that the public is crying out for these measures to be repealed, when it’s really a vocal group of vested interests.
Survey after survey has shown that most Sydneysiders and NSW voters — and yes, including a majority of young people — support the measures and don’t want them rolled back.
Surely, the government has a duty to make evidence-based decisions for the welfare of its citizens first and foremost?
What we don’t need is ‘policy on the run’ simply because Madonna couldn’t get a drink at 2am.
My question to the Premier as she considers these changes is what cost are we willing to pay as a community if we water down these laws? How many assaults? How many millions are we willing to spend on rehabilitation services and lifelong care for people with severe brain injuries from alcohol-related bashings?
Because I don’t think there’s a number I’m comfortable with.
At St Vincent’s, we’ve seen the end result of loose and easy access to alcohol — the glassings, the street bashings, and the domestic violence — and we don’t want to go back there.
Dr Paul Preisz is director of the emergency department at St Vincent’s Hospital