I am opposed to the lock out laws.
I agree that changes were needed to the toxic culture of violence (and the acceptance and or expectation of violence) specifically in Kings Cross as an entertainment precinct at certain days and times of the week.
I also agree that alcohol abuse is a problem in Australia generally. However, instead of lockout laws, an alternate, more balanced and effective way of achieving a change of nightlife culture could have been adopted by our NSW state government.
In doing so they could have encouraged a healthy, thriving, diverse nightlife for our neighbourhood and the global city of Sydney. Instead they have decimated a historic entertainment precinct.
But these measures I’m suggesting would have prioritised people. They would have cost our state government money rather than raised money from development and big business.
Is our neighbourhood quieter, cleaner, does it feel safer since the lock out laws were put into effect? Yes. But I am firmly of the belief these same results of less violence and less tragedy could have been achieved in an alternate way from enforcing lock out laws. An alternate approach that took our city forward not held us back.
If our state government had of consulted the community before enforcing the lock out laws, they would have heard many of us ask for:
• better transportation options for people getting into and out of the entertainment precinct
• better event management of the neighbourhood with more policing like we see with other major events, like sports and festivals
• powerful education campaigns about the need for a change to Australia’s nightlife culture of alcohol abuse and the ensuing violence
It’s my absolute belief that the O’Farrell and Baird Governments have shamelessly cashed in on the deaths of people killed in our neighbourhood to suit their own agendas.
The duty of my state government is not to tell me when to go home and what part of the city I can go to for entertainment.
The duty of my state government is to provide me with adequate amenities and facilities to support my desire to go and enjoy my city safely at any time of the day or night that I choose. That’s why I work and pay tax and vote.
This is not the state government the people in New South Wales deserve. I feel they have a short term agenda that is focused on the interests of big business and developers, and not on people, social justice, or the environment.
