Image by Luke Reynolds
After overturning his ban on NSW greyhound racing, Mike Baird has pulled another semi-backflip on one of his most controversial policies – proposing to ease Sydney’s lockout laws that have plagued nightlife communities across the CBD, King’s Cross and Darlinghurst.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Baird has made a submission to cabinet with Deputy Premier and Justice Minister Troy Grant which will adopt the recommendations from former High Court justice Ian Callinan. Accordingly, the lockouts for live music and entertainment venues will be eased from 1:30am to 2:00am. Furthermore, last drinks will also be extended from 3:00am to 3:30am, while over-the-counter sale of alcohol will be allowed until midnight – two hours longer than the previous rule of 10:00pm.
Importantly, the newspaper also notes that “the definition of live entertainment allowing places to stay open later will include music involving DJs as well as bands.” Furthermore, hospitality staff have also been addressed, as “the changes are also expected to include the legalisation of staff drinks based on the fact that, at present, venues have received ‘strikes’ for staff members remaining on site after last drinks and consuming beverages.”
The news comes immediately after thousands took to the Sydney streets for the Keep Sydney Open rally in protest of the lockout laws. While these amendments might be considered a small victory if they come into effect, it’s clear that much more needs to be done to repair the damage sustained by Sydney’s nightlife.
Responding to the news, Keep Sydney Open spokesperson Tyson Koh said “Pushing back the lockouts by half an hour will do little to help small businesses, the music scene or reinvigorate our dying inner-city precincts. Hardly a backflip, it’s a sidestep. It’s an unacceptable result that shows how oblivious the Premier is to how cities and culture operate. The night-time economy comprises more jobs and more revenue than greyhound racing, yet the concessions given there outweigh the ones given to lockouts.”
“If the reports are true, then the Premier has just made his time in office much more difficult because our followers are growing and Keep Sydney Open isn’t going anywhere anytime soon,” he continued.
We’ll have to see if these slightly relaxed lockout laws come into place, and if they have any significant positive effects on venues around the city.
