Premier Mike Baird's daughter Laura in the firing line over lockout laws
Sydney’s controversial lockout laws have left thousands of people peeved, but there is one 19-year-old who is finding the heavily debated topic especially challenging– Premier Mike Baird’s daughter Laura.
Mr Baird revealed the pressure on his family is ‘significant’ following the 2014 decision to help curb alcohol-fuelled violence in the city.
At an event in Miranda last week, Mr Baird said the situation is ‘difficult’.
“You can’t help but be impacted. My daughter is 19 and she was barraged about the lockout laws.
“From the outset these laws have been about fixing a serious problem. Violence had spiralled out of control, people were literally being punched to death in the city, and there were city streets too dangerous to stroll down on a Friday night.”
The laws have attracted serious criticism and what he refers to as ‘growing hysteria’ since they were passed two years ago.
Last month, entrepreneur Matt Barrie wrote a scathing review of the ‘international joke’ he believes Sydney has become.
“How ridiculous these rules have become in Sydney,” he wrote in his essay, which quickly went viral.
“A special little person has decided that there is a certain time at night when we are all allowed to go out, and there is a certain time that we are allowed into an establishment and a certain time that we are all supposed to be tucked into bed.”
That ‘special little person’ would be Mr Baird, and now his daughter is reportedly copping flack for her father’s stringent decision making.
But the premier continues to stand by his lockout laws, which are scheduled to undergo a review in the coming months.
“The Callinan Review will provide an independent, open and transparent assessment of the state’s liquor laws, focusing on the facts, to advise the NSW Government on the future of these laws,” NSW Police Minister Troy Grant said.
The review will aim to ensure a balance is maintained between the safety of patrons and the night-time economy of Sydney businesses, the Daily Telegraph reported.
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15,000 protestors rally in Sydney over lockout laws
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News break – March 2
