Australia: Review of lockout laws urges an easing of alcohol limits
The Australian
September 14, 2016
A review of Sydney’s lockout laws has paved the way for a relaxation of restrictions on the sale of takeaway alcohol and may allow later drinks services in clubs.
Former High Court judge Ian Callinan QC has found lockout laws introduced in 2014 have made King Cross and Sydney’s CBD safer, but have also reduced job opportunities for shift workers and damaged vibrancy in the city. A move to relax the lockout laws could relieve political pressure on Premier Mike Baird, who has been under fire on numerous fronts.
The review, which has considered more than 1800 submissions on the laws, suggest the 1.30am lockout and 3am last drinks could be pushed back in venues with live music to a 2am lockout and 3.30am last drinks.
For takeaway sales of alcohol, Mr Callinan has suggested extending operating hours to 11pm from 10pm, and to midnight for alcohol home delivery services.
Deputy Premier and Justice Minister Troy Grant will now consider the findings.
“There is significant community and stakeholder interest in the report and we are releasing it immediately to give everyone a chance to consider its findings and recommendations,” Mr Grant said.
Mr Callinan wrote that he had formed the view that Kings Cross and Sydney’s CBD were “grossly overcrowded, violent, noisy and in places dirty” before the laws came into place, but after them they were transformed into “much safer, quieter and cleaner areas”.
Data from the NSW government’s Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research shows non-domestic related assaults in Kings Cross have fallen 45 per cent since the lockout laws came into effect, and by 20 per cent throughout the rest of the CBD covered by the laws.
Mr Callinan now believes that watering holes and venues that offer live music are well placed to safely extend operating hours.
Industry participants and other community leaders welcomed the report, but say the recommendations don’t go far enough to revive Sydney’s late night economy.
“The recommendation to return one of the two hours removed from takeaway sales is a step in the right direction, but we are still at a loss to understand why it was wound back statewide in the first place,” Australian Hotels Association NSW director of liquor and policing John Green said.
The AHA was disappointed there had been no recommendation to remove the blanket 1.30am lockout measures, and to replicate the “no new patrons after 3am”, policy which has resulted in a 57 per cent reduction in assaults in Newtown.
City of Sydney councillor Christine Forster said recommendations did not go far enough. The Liberal councillor was pushing for Oxford Street to be excised from the lockout zone, which has not been considered.
“Sydney is global city and people expect to be able to get a drink later than that,” she said. “I would have liked to have seen the 1.30am lockout removed altogether.”
Some campaigners fear that even if the government relaxes the rules, it could be too late for the neighbourhoods such as Kings Cross and Darlinghurst that were hit hardest by the restrictions. “Kings Cross will never be the way it was before,” Keep Sydney Open founder Tyson Koh said.
However, St Vincent’s Hospital said the 3am last drinks should remain in place, including for live music venues. A hospital spokesman said evidence linked store-bought alcohol and alcohol-related violence.