Moore seeks more consultation on lockout laws
The Minister for Gaming and Racing, Kevin Greene, says he would welcome more input from councils on the future of lockout laws, after receiving a strongly worded letter from City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
Moore last week let her concerns over the state’s lockout laws be known in a letter addressed to the Minister. The letter noted the disproportionate effect the legislation was having on gay and lesbian venues.
During the debate on this legislation in Parliament, I asked for liaison with the City and ongoing monitoring to ensure positive outcomes, Moore wrote. She went on to draw attention to concerns from the gay and lesbian population.
Gay and lesbian community members have asked whether gay venues affected by homophobic violence have been unfairly caught up by this legislation. In Parliament, I asked the Government to prevent disproportionate impacts on lesbian and gay venues in Surry Hills and Darlinghurst.
Moore further made the point that a clear process is needed for responsible operators to have their venues removed from the list.
The Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing’s powers and responsibilities need to be clearly defined and communicated.
Greene did not directly answer the concerns raised over GLBT venues but said there would be ongoing consultation over the coming months.
The issues raised by Ms Moore are being assessed now and a response will be forthcoming but Ms Moore should know by now that my door is always open if she would like a meeting, Green responded, adding, over the coming months, we’ll be working with experts, police, health officials, councils and the industry to develop a more comprehensive set of measures that respond to incidents of alcohol-related violence on licensed premises. We’re also looking at more measures that target personal accountability.
While some patrons might not be happy, the intention of these measures is to help reduce the risk of assaults or glassings or vandalism which is in everybody’s interests.
