Greens NSW Senator Lee Rhiannon and Greens Member for Newtown Jenny Leong have commented on the growing economic and cultural impacts of Sydney’s CBD and Kings Cross lock-out laws, after federal ALP and Liberal senators voted down a Greens motion encouraging the NSW government to find a better long term solution to the perceived problem.
Senator Rhiannon said:
“It’s becoming increasingly obvious that the lock out laws are impacting many different stakeholders in Sydney’s CBD, as businesses go broke and more jobs are lost in the hospitality and entertainment industries.
“The Greens commitment is to explore policies that will keep the Sydney CBD open and safe for all.
“There have been huge costs to creative communities. Live performances have declined by 40 per cent, jobs have been lost and dozens of venues have suffered.
“Yesterday I called upon the federal government to urge the NSW government to work with stakeholders and the community to find a better solution. Disappointingly the Government and Labor voted it down.”
NSW Greens acting spokesperson on Liquor Laws and Member for Newtown, Jenny Leong said:
“The NSW Premier Mike Baird has shown how out of touch he is with the community on this issue. And the NSW opposition are supporting his heavy handed law and order approach.
“We should be implementing innovative, integrated policies that reduce alcohol related violence, not simply shutting down our city. There are other ways.
“The Kings Cross and CBD lockouts continue to an enormously negative impact on our creative communities, live music venues, our night-time economy and our vibrant nightlife.
“Once again we’re seeing the Coalition and Labor roll out their macho law and order approach to governing. That’s not what the people of Sydney want.”
