After backing down on his greyhound ban, NSW Premier Mike Baird is reportedly expected to ease the state’s notorious liquor laws to bring them more in line with the recommendations made by High Court justice Ian Callinan in his independent review of the legislation.
Baird has seen his high approval rating slip in recent months and was red-faced yesterday as he announced the reversal of an impending ban on the NSW greyhound racing industry, which had been applauded by many in the public and animal welfare groups.
Now the Daily Telegraph reports the Premier, who has been famously arrogant in his defence of the liquor and lockout laws which have detrimentally impacted nightlife in Sydney, is preparing to change the laws and allow bottle shops to trade until midnight, rather than 10pm.
It’s being reported that Mr Baird may also extend the non-lockout period till 2am in the CBD and Kings Cross, whilst live music and entertainment in lockout zones could be allowed to continue an extra half-hour till 3.30am.
According to data collected by APRA-AMCOS, the Australian royalties collection body, ticket sales by live performance venues in the Sydney CBD have declined by 40 percent following the introduction of the lockout laws.
This, coupled with a reported 80 percent drop in foot traffic in lockout-affected areas, has resulted in the closure of some 42 venues, bars, cafes, nightclubs, and restaurants. Meanwhile, gig attendance overall is down 19 percent.
According to popular Sydney venue World Bar, management are forking out an extra $224,900 per year because of the lockouts. It’s unlikely pushing the lockouts back by half an hour will allow them to recoup these costs unless a major overhaul of the lockouts is enacted.
