New stats show that Sydney’s notorious lockdown laws had little effect on Sydney’s famous landmarks and deferred violence in the surrounding suburbs.
According to the Journal of Addiction, violence has decreased in Sydney’s CBD and the nightclubs. This coincides with an increase in people living in fringes within walking distance of the precincts.
The 10-year span from 2009 to 2019, in years before the outbreak, shows that the controversial mandates of the city have not had much to no effect. Instead they deferred violence problems to other suburbs.
Following figures that showed depleted attacks in Kings Cross, statistics from Sydney’s Lockdown Statistics have been manipulated to make it look worse
After the highly publicized deaths of Thomas Kelly, and Daniel Christie respectively, lockout laws were established.
Although the laws were enacted less than two months following Christie’s passing, assaults were already in decline long before that time.
Assault incidents had decreased from 42 incidents in July, 2012 to 31.5 in December, 2012 following the tragic death of Kelly due to an unprovoked one-hit punch from Kieran Loveridge.
Christie died on December 31, 2013, after being fatally attacked by Shaun McNeil. This attack saw the number of assaults drop from 34 to 24 between January 2014 and June 2014.
Although the 2014 January end lockout legislation was enacted, the number of locked out workers had been declining for two years.
After the highly publicized deaths of Thomas Kelly (pictured) & Daniel Christie (pictured), Lockout laws were established.
Don Weatherburn was a University of NSW professor and told the University of NSW National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre that SMH Lockout laws did nothing other than shifting the responsibility to the suburbs.
“Right now, no one notices it because COVID exists and we have endless lockouts. But when and if nightlife comes back to the city,” said Professor Weatherburn who was the ex-head of the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research. He provided the data.
‘I’m totally sympathetic to the idea of wanting nightlife to return – it’s a balancing act. They might think we have this balance, but I believe they are making a mistake. I believe it is COVID who’s keeping the line.
Data shows an increase in assault charges in conjunction with the 2014 lockout laws. These were more prevalent in Surry Hills (Chippendale), Darlinghursts, Ultimo, and Ultimo.
Although they are only five minutes from Bondi, Coogee and Newtown, there was no increase in the number of assaults.
Kings Cross, once the centre of Sydney’s nightlife scene was bustling with activity. But it has been virtually deserted since lockout laws forced its iconic establishments to close.
Jan 20, 2021 saw the introduction of a demerit system by government that would award points to violent venues. This included mandates for ‘three strikes’ and minor sanctions.
According to the 24-Hour City Economy Commissioner, the rules were not about “policing” Harbour City. They are about helping people get in venues safely.
Michael Rodrigues stated that public safety does not just involve policing.
‘It’s also working with Transport to make sure people can get to and from places safely; it’s working with Planning to design safe, well-lit streets and working with Liquor & Gaming to make sure regulation strikes the right balance.’
They want to be like London’s famous ‘Purple Flag” program. This rewards popular areas with laws that are based on how they manage incidents in exciting destinations.
Rodrigues claims that the pandemic helped to de-centerize the city’s nightlife and has allowed for the management of troublesome areas.