Today the report Correcting the Sydney lockout myths was released by FARE. It investigates the veracity of several claims relating to the impact of the last drink and lockout policies introduced in 2014.
This report analyses data from the City of Sydney, the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research and the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing.
Key findings include:
- The average decline in foot traffic in Kings Cross between 5pm and 4am on Friday and Saturday was 19.4 per cent, not the 80 per cent claimed by vested interests, and did not change significantly between 5pm and 1am.
- The City of Sydney data indicates that there were four fewer businesses trading at any point between 5pm and 4am on Friday and Saturday nights in Kings Cross, from 170 in 2012 to 166 in 2015. This is despite claims of 40 business closures resulting from the liquor law reforms.
- The same data set also reveals that between 2012 and 2015, there was a 76.6 per cent reduction in serious antisocial behaviour (physical and verbal fights and arguments, shouting and verbal abuse) in Kings Cross.
With the Hon. Ian Callinan AC QC due to provide the findings of his Independent review of the impact of liquor law reforms to the NSW Government in coming days, it is expected that there will be increased interest on the issue this week.
This has begun with the article in today’s Sydney Morning Herald, Majority of voters back broader lockout laws across NSW and the story on the FARE report Report claims lockout’s impact exaggerated.