Research on Sydney lockout laws finds drop in assaults, venues still affected

A report by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research suggests Sydney’s CBD and Kings Cross have become safer since the lockout laws were instated.

The Bureau’s Director Dr Don Weatherburn noted in a report released yesterday, that the 1:30am lockouts and 3am last drinks laws passed in February last year have reduced the incidence of assault. Following the period of February to September 2014, assault in Kings Cross was down 32% and assault in theSydneyCBD was down 40%.

Douglas Grant, the chief executive of the Kings Cross Liquor Accord said the drop in assaults is linked to the fact less people are on the streets after 11pm.

“When you have an 84% drop in foot traffic of course you will see a drop in assaults,” saidGrant.

City of Sydney research stated 55% of those out after 11pm are under the age of 30.

However, the Bureau is yet to release information on the effect the lockouts have had on the city’s live music scene.

The laws were passed by former Premier Barry O’Farrell on February 24 last year and since then, pubs, clubs and live music venues have suffered. The Backroom in Kings Cross was forced to close its doors in October, Flinders Hotel closed in Januaryleading to 10 job losses excluding security and DJs andWorld Bar lost 20% of all revenue and staff. Many venues have noted profit losses of up to 40% and the restriction of opening hours.

In January, the government announced it would release a review of the legislation in June, when it had assessed 12-month data fromthe Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research.

“When we review the regulation, following more detailed research into alcohol-related crime in the Sydney CBD-Kings Cross precinct, we will include an analysis of the impacts on businesses, among other things,” the spokesperson for the NSW Government’s Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR) told the Star Observer in January.

The Australian Hotels Association NSW and the NSW Treasury are also evaluating the effect of the lockout laws, however, neither have been independently conducted.

The review is expected tohonour a conversation between father of one-punch victim Thomas Kelly and Premier Mike Baird, where Baird said there would be no changes to lockouts in Kings Cross until at least February 2016.

Brisbane is expected to adopt the lockout laws, withthe support of Queensland residents.The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education found over 80% of Queenslanders support 3am closing for pubs, clubs and bars and over 60% support a 1am lockout.