By Abbey Smith, 8 August 2023
Adelaide’s city lockout laws are set to remain in place following a review into South Australia’s Late Night Trading Code of Practice.
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The move was introduced in 2015 to try and curb anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related harm around the CBD.
Has it worked? In short, yes.
Alcohol-related presentations to the Royal Adelaide Hospital have more than halved since the introduction of the lockout laws in 2015.
It’s also helped to lower crime rates in the city, with offences committed between midnight and 7am significantly lower than in 2015.
The Liquor and Gambling Commissioner is now keen to take another step and ban the sale of shots, doubles and laybacks from 2am.
Drink marshalls would be retained, after being introduced over the covid pandemic to make sure patrons were adhering to the physical distancing rules in venues.
The Commissioner confirmed drink marshalls would be able to intervene when patrons are behaving unacceptably.
Hospitality owners have been vocal in the past about wanting the rules scrapped, launching a campaign called ‘Unlock Adelaide’ in December 2022.
The industry called for lockout laws to be scrapped after many traders struggled through the covid-19 pandemic shutdowns.
Changes to the current code of practice are set to come into effect at the start of November.
Image: Getty Images
