Lockout Exemptions A Positive, But There's 'A Lot Of Hard Work To Go' Say Keep Sydney Open

A large number of Sydneysiders celebrated over the weekend following the announcement that a handful of venues are now exempt from the controversial lockout laws and while the news is no doubt a win, there is still plenty more work to be done, according to Tyson Koh of anti-lockout activist group, Keep Sydney Open.

The court decision was made last Thursday following a legal challenge from CBD bar The Smoking Panda at the Coronation Hotel which found that the Secretary of the Department of Justice did not have the right to declare a city venue subject to the lockouts.

As a result, the Smoking Panda and seven other venues, including popular live music venue, Oxford Art Factory, are exempt from the laws. 

"I think it’s fantastic news," Koh told theMusic.

"We always thought that the laws were quite unjust and they were certainly rushed through parliament, so there were bound to be a few mistakes in the composition of the legislation.

"This gets a foot in the door for a lot of the other venues to potentially apply for exemptions too or maybe restructure their licenses so that these exemptions can apply to them. 

"We certainly know that the live music scene has suffered a huge blow since the lockouts were introduced, so we really need all the good news that we can get."

Unsurprisingly, the government has appealed the latest decision and have referred it to former judge Ian Callinan who is expected to deliver a full review of the laws soon.

"Regardless of what the review says, it’s imperative for the government to come up with a solution to invigorate the live music scene because, unfortunately, people who want a more vibrant scene are going to other cities like Melbourne or even abroad," Koh said.

"We’re celebrating the good news but there’s a lot of hard work to go."

The court decision comes only weeks after NSW Premier Mike Baird revealed he would be "open" to recommendations and Koh has urged locals to continue to fight the contentious legislation. 

"Even though Sydney really has lost it’s morale, there are people really working their butts off putting on gigs, bringing out DJs, playing in bands every night of the week. I think the best thing that Sydneysiders can do is support this stuff," he said.

"All is not lost and we really need to work together to rebuild the damage that’s been done since the introduction of the lockouts."