Four new venues have just been granted some leeway from the Lockout Laws in response to Robert Borsak’s bill to lift the legislation.
Robert Borsak of the Shooters, Farmers and Fishers Party was introducing a bill before NSW Legislative Council to get rid of Sydney lockouts, challenging state government to support the bill.
As Lockout Laws were put before Parliament last Thursday, four more venues have had their operating hours relaxed by LGR NSW.
“The reason we’ve done it now is that [NSW deputy premier] John Barilaro was playing politics with it in the last month or so, voicing his concern that the lockouts were still in place, and he was going to run a bill and then didn’t do it,” said Borsak outside the Keep Sydney Open rally last Thursday.
Borsak also said that Barilaro now has two weeks to convince the Liberals to support the bill.
Aside from discussing the lifting of the Lockout Laws, the trading hour lockouts for several Sydney venues were loosened by Liquor, Gaming and Racing NSW.
Three Wise Monkeys, Slide Lounge, Oxford Hotel and Palms on Oxford are allowed to serve drinks until 3:30am and take in patrons until 2am, bringing the total number of venues allowed to do this to 34.
While the bill is “just the beginning,” some say that more work needs to be done beyond beyond lifting the laws. Instead, changing the culture surrounding nightlife and access to venues should be emphasised.
Via The Music Network.
