Keep Sydney Open Announces Another Rally To Save City's Nightlife

Following the release of a report recommending that Sydney's lockout laws be revised, Keep Sydney Open has announced a follow-up rally to help save the city's nightlife in early October.

In a call to arms released this afternoon, Keep Sydney Open spokesman Tyson Koh pointed to the damage caused to Sydney's culture and economy in the wake of the laws' introduction, saying that the acknowledgment from Justice Ian Callinan that aspects of the laws should be "relaxed" simply verifies what locals have felt deeply in recent months anyway.

"It's good to finally hear what Sydneysiders have already known for a long time, that these laws are putting Sydney's reputation as a dynamic, international city at risk," Koh said in a statement. "We shouldn't have to settle for lock-them-up-and-throw-away-the-key policy solutions, when only an hour's flight away Melbourne has created a safe and dynamic nightlife with a cool-headed, smart policy."

Following on from February's demonstration — for which 15,000 Sydneysiders turned out to show their support — Koh and Keep Sydney Open will be holding the rally on Sunday 9 October from 12-5pm. 

"With each passing day the lockouts are in place, Sydney’s cultural life is damaged, small businesses are jeopardised and our internationally recognised artistic talent is finding it harder to be paid for their work," Koh said.

"A 30-minute extension misses the point, that Sydney wants policy that encourages safe and vibrant nightlife at anytime. Major cities around the world can do it and we can too."

Although Justice Callinan was largely supportive of relaxing the lockout legislation, he was still measured in his assessment, writing in his 151-page report, "A relaxation of the Amendments to this effect may go some way to an orderly restoration of vibrancy and employment opportunities in the Precincts." 

"It needs to be understood again however that such a relaxation carries the risk of greater density and consumption of more alcohol in the Precincts," he wrote. "It needs also to be understood that relaxing the Amendments, even in this way, involves risk."

Despite that, Keep Sydney Open is steadfast in its opposition to the lockouts, citing a seven-point plan to boost nightlife vibrancy and safety that includes measures such as best-practice policing strategies, 24/7 public transport, urban planning reform, after-dark activities, education and intervention campaigns, venue incentives and the introduction of a Night Mayor or similar position.

See Keep Sydney Open's website for more information about the upcoming rally, or head to the Facebook event page.