Social media channels have seen an outpouring of criticism from publicans and musicians, as well as members of the media, since reports surfaced of New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell‘s plans to introduce a 1.30am lockout for clubs and venues in the Sydney CBD and Kings Cross.
Q Bar, located on Oxford St, shared a petition dubbed ‘Punish Thugs Not Pubs,’ whose description argues that the proposed lockout is “a law that punishes the good behaviour of the majority for the poor behaviour of a few.” In addition, Q Bar wrote, “OUR CROWD ARE LOVERS NOT FIGHTERS.”
Meanwhile, Kings Cross venue The World Bar shared an article by The Advertiser, admonishing the violence that lead to the so-called one-punch laws, adding, “Great article. Have a read. Unless you’re the kind of moron who would #cowardpunch someone. You probably can’t read.”
Kings Cross nightclub owner and alleged organised-crime figure John Ibrahim took to Twitter to express his reaction to the lockout proposal, with Seven News reporting a tweet (since deleted) in which Ibrahim likens the shock of hearing the news of Mr O’Farrell’s announcement, to 9/11.
Sydney electronic artist Levins tweeted, “I really think NSW should spend a tonne of money on a “DON’T BE A FUCKWIT” campaign,” later adding, “Imagine a state wide fuckwit awareness commercial that culminated in a father yelling “DON’T BE A FUCKWIT, JESSICA” at his daughter.”
Hip-hop duo Jackie Onassis made a tongue-in-cheek reference to the laws in a reply to a fan (see below), while Triple J‘s Nina Las Vegas tweeted, “It sucks that Barry O’Farrell said ‘one-punch laws’ will include lockouts. Shame we can’t just encourage people not to be wasted fuckwits.”
Local musos, who will likely be affected by the laws, like singer-songwriter Jugu and indie outfit Sierra Fin likewise expressed their bemusement on Twitter, tweeting, “I wonder how O’Farrell’s lockout policy will affect Sydney’s live music scene?” and “Hmmm, Sydney lockout seems to coincide with taxi changeover time. Think that will help reduce violence? #auspol #fail,” respectively.
Members of the media have also weighed in. Triple J’s Dom Alessio indicated that “Only 3 of the 25 most violent clubs in NSW will be affected by the new 1:30am lockout,” while Fairfax‘s Rachel Olding tweeted, “Star Casino and Barrangaroo not included in the Sydney CBD map.”
Stay tuned to Music Feeds and we’ll have more reactions as well as all the updates on this developing story as they come in.
I really think NSW should spend a tonne of money on a “DON’T BE A FUCKWIT” campaign
— LEVINS (@levdawg) January 21, 2014
Imagine a state wide fuckwit awareness commercial that culminated in a father yelling “DON’T BE A FUCKWIT, JESSICA” at his daughter
— LEVINS (@levdawg) January 21, 2014
@dannolan Sydney's Favourite Late Night Late No Lockout bar!
— Jackie Onassis (@JackieOnassis1) January 21, 2014
It sucks that Barry O'Farrell said 'one-punch laws' will include lockouts. Shame we can't just encourage people not to be wasted fuckwits.
— Nina Las Vegas (@ninalasvegas) January 21, 2014
I wonder how O'Farrell's lockout policy will affect Sydney's live music scene? http://t.co/U3iCVhlGNE
— JUGU (@jugumusic) January 21, 2014
Hmmm, Sydney lockout seems to coincide with taxi changeover time. Think that will help reduce violence? #auspol #fail
— Sierra Fin (@SierraFin) January 21, 2014
Only 3 of the 25 most violent clubs in NSW will be affected by the new 1:30am lockout. Here's the list http://t.co/1D17ju3mZr
— Dom Alessio (@domalessio) January 21, 2014
Star Casino and Barrangaroo not included in the Sydney CBD map for 1.30am lockout and 3am last drinks trial
— Rachel Olding (@rachelolding) January 21, 2014
