The NSW Lockout Law Review Is In: Certain Aspects Should Be 'Relaxed'

Most of NSW has been waiting with bated breath for the liquor law review by former High Court judge Ian Callinan to be released, following the recent court decision that a number of live music venues such as the Oxford Art Factory would be exempt from the laws.

In last night's whopping 151-page Liquor Law Review Report, however, Callinan has suggested but a mere adjustment to the current 1.30am and 3am lockout times, conceding that we might benefit from a "staged relaxation of [some] aspects" of the laws and that he was "concerned that live entertainment and those employed in it have lost opportunities of employment". 

He suggests the laws are loosened up on a trial basis of two years, with venues' 1.30am last entry moved back to 2am and last drinks moved from 2.30am to 3am. He also suggested that at venues with live entertainment, "providers should be able to programme [live music] so that choice can still be offered up to the lockout, and enjoyed for hours afterwards accompanied by alcohol until 3am". 

A small win we can take away from this is takeaway alcohol sales, which Callinan recommends should be loosened from 10pm to 11pm (from liquor stores) and up until midnight for alcohol home delivery. He found that takeaway sales of alcohol "whether before or after 10pm, makes little or no contribution to violence and anti-social behaviour in the Precincts, even less so when it is home delivered".

Callinan wrote, "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. It needs also to be understood that relaxing the Amendments, even in this way, involves risk."

Deputy Premier Troy Grant has said that the government will respond to Callinan's report by the end of the year.