During November 2015 there was much political speculation about the consequences of differences of opinion about ‘lock-out laws’ between those supporting the ALP’s original commitment in its electoral manifesto and members of the Katter Party and the unaligned independent, former ALP member, Billy Gordon.
Evidence always helps to advance and evaluate arguments. We reproduce below a commentary made from a national perspective and the report referred to in much discussion as ‘The Newcastle Study’ published by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Resarch.
The aims of the Newcastle Study were to determine (1) whether the January 2014 reforms to the NSW Liquor Act reduced the incidence of assault in the Kings Cross and Sydney CBD Entertainment Precincts. (2) Whether the incidence of assault increased in areas proximate to these Precincts or in nightspots further away but still within easy reach of these Precincts. (3) If there is evidence of displacement, and whether the reduction in assaults in the Kings Cross and Sydney CBD Entertainment Precincts was larger than the increase in the number of assaults in the displacement areas.