In every situation there are always two sides to a story.
In this instance it’s between a number of protest groups and NSW Premier Mike Baird regarding Sydney’s night life.
Sydney is divided, there are pros and cons for both sides of the fence.
On one hand St Vincent’s Hospital has statistics that show figures are decreasing relating to hospitalisation, recording a 25 per cent reduction in seriously injured patients over high alcohol periods. The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education Chief Executive, Michael Thorn says, “what the government did, delivered what we forecast it to do, and that is reduce assaults , reduce emergency admissions and reduce hospitalisations”. Within the first six months of the lockout laws being introduced, figures show a 32 per cent reduction in non-domestic assaults in Kings Cross and it doesn’t just stop here, over in Sydney’s CBD a 26 per cent reduction in non-domestic assaults in Sydney’s CBD.
With Social media being the outlet for many, Tyson Koh, of Keeping Sydney Open and has more than 20,000 likes on Facebook. Mr Koh has said, “a raft of regulations targeting alcohol fuelled violence , including 2014’s lockout laws banning admission to clubs after 1.30am in the CBD and Kings Cross, was not the panacea it claimed”. With numerous campaigns designed to fight to ‘unlock’ Sydney, momentum is building and voices are being heard.
With public safety the main reason for the lockout laws being introduced the campaign is designed to question the laws, while maintaining social and economic activity and cultural vibrancy, says author Daisy Dumas, Sydney Morning Herald. Some of the alternative solutions are; more visible policing in the streets, staggered closing times, a large scale anti-violence campaign, tightening of dodgy operators, extended dining hours and street marshalls.
With some long standing businesses having to close their doors to the public, such as Hugos and the Flinders Hotel. Keep Sydney Open has some celebrity backing with Tina Arena and Maurice Terzini, owner of Icebergs and Da Orazio restaurants to fight for everyone effected.
On 11 February 2016, Troy Grant, Deputy Premier of NSW, Minister for Justice and Police has provided a media release for the public to have their say in an independent, evidence based review of the lockouts that will be led by former high court judge, the Hon. Ian Callinan AC QC.
Have your say by visiting http://www.justice.nsw.gov.au/liquorlawreview. If you have any questions relating to the lockout laws and what is being proposed please feel free to contact, Allied Risk Solutions to see how this affects your premises on (02) 9635 0477.
Written by Paul Ekinci
Marketing Manager
Allied Risk Solutions