If you’ve felt the blow of the new lock out laws in Sydney then it’s time to shape up.
The New South Wales Police Minister, Stuart Ayres has announced that the current lockout laws will be extended into most of the Sydney CBD on July 18.
For regular city slickers, the future looks bleak as government attitudes to combat violence also translate into an attack against party-goers, the vital contributors to the night-time economy.
The new lockout area is more than 10 times larger than Kings Cross, marginalising the entire city precinct regardless of whether venues have a history of violence at all.
This winter will see The Rocks, Surry Hills and Darling Harbour face the same jurisdiction as the island of sleaze, commonly known as Kings Cross.
Commissioner Ayres said that the lockout laws would be extended because there is data to prove that alcohol-fuelled violence has decreased as a direct result of the legislative changes introduced in The Cross.
Upon closer examination, the data he relies on to justify the lockout extension is merely anecdotal, weakening the legitimacy of the move.
On the other side of the fence, party-goers are shuddering at the thought of an even cooler winter on the city streets, compounded by the strict new legislation.
As Saturday night rolls around, my motive is not to drink to oblivion and coward punch the shit out of anyone sitting their HSC trials- it’s to go out, be out and engage with the humans of Sydney.
For anyone who loves it, the ability to come and go as you please, move freely from club to club and meet those who interest you are just some of the things that will be hampered by these new laws.
Kings Cross is a different story.
Firstly, its Australia’s most densely populated area.
Through the years it was known as Bohemia Australis, home of the sex trade, “sly grog” and Australia’s biggest illegal casino.
The area has changed for the better over the years but the sex shops and strip clubs still remain.
Today, you could get away with labelling it as Sydney’s red-light district.
So undoubtedly, it’s always going to be a bit naughty.
The cultural divide between Kings Cross and areas like The Rocks and Surry Hills tells its own tale. You only need to be in the two areas in the one night to see. But this is unlikely under new legislation.
Locking down Sydney’s CBD in its entirety and limiting the movement and freedoms of all of us is a..wait for it, draconian move. It kind of feels like my mother-in-law is joining me for a night on the drink, reminding me that soon I won’t be able have a shot at the bar.
Police Commissioner Ayres admitted that an assumption that there would be a flow on effect as a result of locking out Kings Cross, was wrong. Showing that the majority of people were not moving to escape the laws in other areas in the city.
But surprisingly, he pushed on with plans to enforce lock-out restrictions in these areas, increasing the total lock out size by a tenfold.
My thoughts are with those victimised by senseless violence, but my pity goes to those who commit it.
How sad it is that you get kicks from the pain and suffering of others.
The saddest part of it all is that we, the guys and dolls of Sydney are paying the price for the actions of a small, stupid minority whose petty over-compensation has forced the state government to act so harshly on legislative changes to Sydney’s nightlife.
Yet to come is the cultural shift as we, like the dumbest of criminals need a timetable of laws to simply experience adulthood at licensed venues.
Where else in the world do fully grown adults need such restrictive laws to govern their personal evening choices?
Brace yourselves for July 18.
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| The over-stimulated nature of Kings Cross is embedded in its history |
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| Vietnam vets were the fuel for a boom in the 1970's |
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| "Property of Sydney Hell's Angels" |
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| All photographic credit to the amazing Rennie Ellis |
