Matt Barrie Again Takes On Lockout Laws: 'I Doubt Sydney Will Ever Fully Recover'

Sydney man Matt Barrie, who wrote the 'Would The Last Person In Sydney Please Turn The Lights Out?' piece in February which garnered nearly one million views in under a week, has again taken aim at the NSW Government and the city's lockout laws in a brand new article entitled 'The Death Of Sydney's Nightlife & Economic Collapse Of Its Night Time Economy'.

In Barrie's latest article, he analyses the official statistics released by the government surrounding the laws and the establishments which have been made exempt from the lockouts, including The Star Casino and soon-to-be-opened Barangaroo, just weeks after a rally was held for the same reason. 

read more: clover moore calls for live music venues to be exempt from lockout laws

"The draconian environment around liquor laws and particularly the lockout legislation have resulted in the bankruptcy of dozens of commercial businesses, not just licensed venues, but also completely unrelated businesses," Barrie writes.

(All photos taken from Barrie article) Mike Baird's famous Facebook post supporting lockouts & Barrie's original piece: The results are clear — Sydney don't support lockouts

Sydney's lockout precinct has some very clear gaps

"The night time economy has been devastated with hundreds of businesses that were formerly open now being closed at night. Night time foot traffic in the main entertainment precincts of the biggest capital city in the country of Australia has dropped up to 90% (or more). Legislation and regulation that is victim blaming at best, and indiscriminately disastrous to unrelated commercial businesses and landlords at worst."

He goes on to say that the liquor regulations imposed on Sydney, which includes the closure of all bottle shops by 10pm, have had a detrimental impact on the city. 

"The outcome of these regulations has been a complete collapse in night time foot traffic and trade in the main entertainment precincts in the City of Sydney," Barrie continues.

Sydney's entertainment precincts & lack of visible nightlife

"It has resulted in unemployment of hundreds, loss of income and loss in business takings. It has resulted in a severe curtailment of civil liberties and freedom. It has resulted in a huge loss to the international standing and reputation of Sydney as a global city and as a tourist destination.

"The only winners from these laws have been the casinos and property developers, and the biggest losers have been small businesses, jobs, the economy, civil liberties, tourism, and the social, cultural fabric and reputation of Sydney.

"Even if the lockout laws are reversed, so much damage has been done to Sydney's nightlife, I doubt it will ever fully recover. The vibrancy that has been destroyed took decades to build. There are simply no people out and about anymore."

Read the full article here.