Should Sydney’s lockout laws be lifted?

The joint select committee on Sydney’s night-time economy has recommended that the lockout laws be lifted in the CBD and Oxford Street.

The Committee found that the 2014 lockout laws adversely impacted Sydney’s night-time economy and the NSW Government now needs to take proactive steps to revitalise Sydney.

It has proposed that the Government appoint an overarching coordinator for the night-time economy, with the responsibility of developing a night-time economy strategy and providing advice on a range of regulatory matters within 60 days.

“There were very real problems with alcohol-fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour in areas like Kings Cross six years ago, but the collateral damage caused by the lockout laws is unacceptable, with 50 per cent of live music venues closing since the introduction of the laws,” Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“The lockout laws were a sledgehammer to crack a nut, when what was needed were policies to create a safe and diverse nightlife deserving of a global city. We needed 24 hour trains to allow people to get home, we needed tougher licensing laws, including incentives for good management of venues and penalties for badly managed venues, and we needed policies that spread venues out across the city, not concentrate them in places like the Cross.”

What do you think? Do you think violence will return to Sydney’s streets if the lockout laws are repealed? Were the quixotic lockout laws damaging to Sydney's reputation?

7 comments

The more laws you force on to people, the more they go undergound. Then the underground economy flourishes and more crimes are committed.

True, true Reag, but the way I look at it is whether or not a law exists, the underbelly will still be there. I believe the lock out laws are a good idea, but relax them a little.

What do you think? Do you think violence will return to Sydney’s streets if the lockout laws are repealed?

yes! But it will not worry me as I dont live there and no wish to visit

Stupid law in the first place..highly reactive and not thought out at all..repeal them immediately..

I,ll be glad when China takes over and introduces conscription,,,The youth of today have been trained by us to expect to purchase a house at 26,drink lattes all day,get drunk every night and wreck the place with violence and dangerous driving

I,ll be glad when China takes over and introduces conscription,,,The youth of today have been trained by us to expect to purchase a house at 26,drink lattes all day,get drunk every night and wreck the place with violence and dangerous driving

Look at the statistics on the huge reduction in violence related admissions to St Vincents Hospital (Kings Cross, Oxford Street etc) since the lock laws were introduced. Listen to the doctors and nurses who have to treat the assault victims. Saving one innocent life is worth much more than the `need' of some to be able to leave one venue and enter another venue after 1am. If they must continue drinking after 1am, they can surely stay where they are. Karl

I heard on the tv that this law is costing the Sydney economy 16 billion dollars, where do these figures come from? That amount equates to a loss of approx $44 million per night 365 days a year, can this really be a true figure or is it an attempt to inflate the figures to give in to the groups that want a return to sell grog whenever they want no matter the consequences?

7 comments



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