Lockout Laws !

Five years ago Sydney did have a very evident problem in Kings Cross.  It had become the night life Mecca of Australia's biggest city and the crowd numbers surging through its streets in the wee small hours of the morning was becoming dangerous.  Unprovoked fights became an item which regularly resulted in death in the streets.   Intoxicated patrons swinging what were termed " Coward punches " were a phenomenon peculiar to Kings Cross.

Kings Cross became synonymous with drugs and sex.   The drinking establishments promoted live entertainment that consisted of " girly " shows and patron behaviour was almost unbelievably bad.  It was out of control and in desperation Barry O'Farrell's government slapped draconian lockout laws in place.  From 1-30 am entry to establishments was barred.  Patrons were free to stay wherever they were but could not move from show to show - and last drinks were imposed at 3 am.

The result was dramatic.  The crowd numbers retreated to the stage that within a few months most of the entertainment  shows had closed their doors and Kings Cross was shuttered at night.  That famous " Golden Mile " has been converted to accommodation and commerce and the Sydney nightlife scene has moved elsewhere, but unfortunately this has been at the expense of the rhythm expected in a world city.

Sydney is compared unfavourably with Melbourne, where the nightlife scene is widely divided. These lockout laws have been amended and now entry ceases at 2 am and last drinks are imposed at 3-30 am, but this is much more restrictive than the expectations of world travellers.   There is increasing pressure for these lockout laws to be lifted entirely.

They were never intended to be permanent, and in fact the legislation that imposed them required review at two yearly intervals.  Unfortunately, the politicians on both sides of politics fear the reaction of elderly voters with a conservative outlook to alcohol and what they see as " lewd " entertainment.   This fear of losing voter support is preventing a sensible reappraisal of these lockout laws from taking place.

Without doubt they were the right law choices at that time and they tamed the excesses of Kings Cross, but we face a coming state election that is likely to give independents and minor parties the balance of power.  These laws were selective and only applied to Kings Cross and the central CBD. If they are lifted, they would remain in reserve to be applied in the event that some other part of Sydney  redeveloped the excesses that applied to Kings Cross.

The danger is that once laws are in place they become set in stone.  We are constantly enacting new laws, but rarely re-examining those on the books and withdrawing those that have passed their use by date.   These Sydney lockout laws fit that category.