A pair of prominent Sydney DJs have slammed Sydney’s strict lockout laws, claiming they have made it almost impossible for musicians to earn a living.
Nick Drabble and Stu Turner, who perform as Set Mo, said they were able to make a steady income before the lockout laws were introduced.
‘We wouldn’t be in the position we are today if Sydney was like it is today back then,’ Mr Drabble told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Nick Drabble and Stu Turner perform as Set Mo, and say before the lockout laws were introduced they were able to make a steady income
The New South Wales government announced last week it was planning to exempt new live music and arts venues in the CBD and Kings Cross from a four-year freeze on new liquor licences
Set Mo will give evidence to the NSW parliamentary inquiry into live music, and say the strict lockout laws have negatively affected musicians (Pictured: a deserted Kings Cross)
The New South Wales government announced last week it was planning to exempt new live music and arts venues in the CBD and Kings Cross from a four-year freeze on new liquor licences.
Set Mo will give evidence to the NSW parliamentary inquiry into live music, and say the strict lockout laws have negatively affected musicians.
‘It’s very sad to Sydney in such a crisis. On our travels around Australia and the world, one of the first questions people ask us is: ‘What the hell is going on in Sydney ?”
According to statistics provided by Liquor and Gaming NSW, 418 licensed premises have been closed in the CBD and Kings Cross since 2014.
John Graham, a member of the parliamentary inquiry, said there had been a net loss of 176 venues since the lockout laws were brought in.
The NSW government is set to spend about $1million on contemporary music in 2017-18.
According to statistics provided by Liquor and Gaming NSW, 418 licensed premises have been closed in the CBD and Kings Cross since 2014
The inquiry will be chaired by Paul Green from the Christian Democratic Party.
Mr Graham said the inquiry had been told there is a need to get around obstacles that prevent venues from staying open in the city.
City of Sydney councillor Jess Scully said jobs in live music had gone down but there were more opportunities for employment in gambling.
‘They’ve made the easiest, most viable option for venue owners just to chuck some pokies in there. That has a damaging social effect that goes well beyond the impact on the creative economy.’
City of Sydney councillor Jess Scully said jobs in live music had gone down but there were more opportunities for employment in gambling