The Sydney lockout laws were introduced by the Government of New South Wales from February 2014 to January 2020 in the CBD and Oxford Street (and until March 2021 for Kings Cross) with the objective of reducing alcohol-fuelled violence. The legislation required 1.30am lockouts and 3am last drinks at bars, pubs and clubs in the Sydney CBD entertainment precinct. The precinct, defined in regulations, was bounded by Kings Cross, Darlinghurst, Cockle Bay, The Rocks and Haymarket.
While data showed that the lockout laws did help reduce alcohol-related violence, concerns were raised about the impact of the law on Sydney's night-time economy. [citation needed]
In 2016, the law was subject to an independent review, conducted by Ian Callinan. In response, the NSW Government announced it would "maintain Sydney’s lockout laws and implement the key recommendations"[1] which included relaxing the last drinks and lockout laws by half an hour for live entertainment venues in a two-year trial.
In September 2019, a NSW Parliamentary committee recommended that the lockout laws should be removed by the end of the year, with the exception of Kings Cross, where restrictions will be retained.[2] Medical professionals and representatives of emergency services workers opposed repeal.[3][4]
On 28 November 2019, the NSW Government announced that the lockout laws would be lifted in Sydney's CBD and Oxford Street from 14 January 2020.[5][6] On 8 February 2021, the NSW government announced the lockout laws would be lifted from the remaining area Kings Cross from 8 March 2021.[7]
- ^ Lockout and last drinks laws to remain in Sydney, justice.nsw.gov.au, 8 December 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
- ^ Smith, Alexandra (30 September 2019). "Lockout laws should be axed in CBD but kept in Kings Cross, inquiry finds". Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ Gorrey, Megan (8 September 2019). "'It's time to enhance Sydney's nightlife': lockout laws to be wound back in CBD". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ Cockburn, Paige (8 September 2019). "Sydney's lockout laws set to be wound back across CBD but Kings Cross still under curfew". ABC News.
- ^ "Sydney's lockout laws to be scrapped everywhere except Kings Cross from January 14". ABC News. 28 November 2019.
- ^ "Sydney lockout laws to be scrapped almost entirely from 14 January". The Guardian. 28 November 2019.
- ^ "NSW Government to scrap controversial lockout laws in Kings Cross". ABC News. 8 February 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
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