Fast-tracked lockout review hosed down
The current lockout restrictions in the Sydney CBD and Kings Cross will not be reviewed any earlier than originally anticipated, Acting Premier of NSW, Troy Grant, has stressed.
Media reports suggested that the NSW State Government was considering an early review of the lockouts introduced in February 2014, ahead of the upcoming election in March.
But Troy Grant, who is also the Minister for Hospitality, Gaming and Racing, told 2GB yesterday that it would be June at the earliest that the first set of data would be available ahead of a formal review in February 2016.
“We are starting to collect the data after 12 months, and that has been consistent with what I’ve said since I became the minister in April," he said.
"So the statutory review of two year period in 2016 stands."
Grant also denied any political influence had been exercised by liquor and hotels industries.
“There’s no power to bear that’s alluded to in the paper. You can check my diary, the industry haven’t been knocking on my door about this."
In an interview with TheShout, Grant said he was proud to be part of a Government that has brought down alcohol-related violence.
“As a former police officer I’m extremely proud that we brought about changes that have seen individuals and industry taking greater responsibility.
“The NSW Government will examine the 12 months of data when it becomes available by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research in June.
“There will be no change to any laws that are working and anecdotally there are some that clearly are working."
AHA NSW director of liquor and policing, John Green, commented: “We have maintained since the commencement of these new laws that it would make sense to look at effectiveness and impact of the restrictions when there was a full year’s worth of data, including the busy summer period."
"This is consistent with the recommendations from the recent Parliamentary Inquiry chaired by former Minister, George Souris.”
Source: The Shout - 14th January 2015
