The State Government appears to be caving to pressure, inviting the Keep Sydney Open organisers to share their ideas on improving Sydney’s stagnant nightlife.
As the momentum from the Keep Sydney Open protest march continues to maintain its ferocity, the NSW State Government has invited the group to sit on its “night-time economy roundtable”.
The government has created the session in response to the huge amount of pressure coming from the public to address the damage the lockout laws have done to Sydney’s once-thriving entertainment quarters.
The NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Justice and Police, Troy Grant, has been quoted saying: “Everyone wants a safe and vibrant night-time Sydney economy. This is an exciting chance to work together.”
On the other side of the political divide, the Greens party has released a statement through party spokeswoman and Newtown MP Jenny Leong saying that the invitation extended to the protest group means that the anti-lockout activities are working: “Minister Grant seems to be singing a very different tune. [We] have said from the start that it’s essential that local communities are involved.”
The results of the round table discussion – which will also include members of local government, medical representatives, live music advocates and more – will be handed to former High Court Justice Ian Callinan so that he can take them into consideration while completing his independent review of the lockout laws.
