The Australian Sex Party opposes the NSW government’s 'lockout laws.'

The 2014 NSW Liquor Law Reforms were enacted to reduce alcohol-related violence in some sections of inner Sydney. The reforms prohibit bottle shop sales after 10:00pm, the admission of patrons after 1:30am and the serving of alcohol after 3:00am.

Research into the efficacy of these so-called ‘lock-out laws’ shows that they do not work. The apparent reduction in alcohol-related violence and harm in the gazetted areas can be better explained by:

• a general downward trend in alcohol-related violence and harm; and
• a reduction in visits to the gazetted areas since the laws were enacted.

Lock-out laws have had other unintended consequences:

• several businesses have closed down because they have lost a significant source of income;
• many hospitality workers have lost their jobs; and
• Sydney’s reputation as an international city has been tarnished.
• The Australian Sex party believes that alcohol-related violence and harm should be tackled directly as a social and health issue.

The Australian Sex Party opposes the NSW government’s lock-out laws and welcomes the Callinan Review into the 2014 Liquor Law Reforms.