The NSW Government Has Released Their Lockout Review and People Aren't Super Happy with It

The review of Sydney's controversial lockout laws has been a long time coming. After asking for the public's feedback back in March, the NSW Government received over 1800 submissions from Sydneysiders and has interviewed over 50 people (including Lord Mayor Clover Moore). The report was released to the public yesterday — and while some 'relaxation' of the lockout laws is considered, it doesn't recommend the changes many campaigners were hoping for.

The findings have been handed down by former High Court Judge Ian Callinan in a 151-page Review of Amendments to the Liquor Act 2007. In the report, Callinan finds that a trialling "staged relaxation" of the laws could be "considered" by extending the lockout time at "genuine entertainment venues" (presumably live music venues and strip clubs, although this isn't specified in the report) until 2am and last drinks until 3.30am — that is, by a whole half an hour (the current lockout time is 1.30am and last drinks is at 3am). Gee, thanks.

In another small concession, the report recommends that the sale of takeaway alcohol could be extended by an hour until 11pm, finding that the "sale of takeaway alcohol, whether before or after 10pm, makes little or no contribution to violence and anti-social behaviour". While these recommendations are at least a small step in the right direction, on the whole, the report seems resistant to change. It cites that all-night trains and extra policing would come at an extra cost and that "cultural attitudes are difficult and slow to change".

Bear in mind the report is just that — a report. It's a non-binding set of recommendations that the NSW Government may or may not take on board. Here's what Sydneysiders are saying about it.

That's what you get when you ask a retired high court judge who last went out when The Beatles toured Australia #keepsydneyopen

— *An Horse* (@jonnoseidler) September 13, 2016

Callinan so thoroughly misunderstands culture and the objectives of the nightlife industry that it's unclear whether he listened at all.

— very earnest tweets (@adam_lewis) September 13, 2016

I just read the Callinan report. I found the report to be sloppily written and unbelievably biased. Call this rigorous?!? #nswpol #auspol

— Matt Barrie (@matt_barrie) September 13, 2016

The fact that clubs can be considered as not live music venues is an insult to the many artists who play live in those clubs #keepsydneyopen

— Caitlin (@dedicaited) September 13, 2016