Keep Sydney Open is considering running for parliament - News - Mixmag
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Keep Sydney Open is considering running for parliament

'New South Wales is broken and sorely lacking in innovative, fresh ideas'

  • SCOTT CARBINES
  • 19 October 2017

Keep Sydney Open will run for New South Wales (NSW) state parliament if it can get enough support.

The group was formed in opposition of the city's lockout laws, introduced in February 2014, and has been the main organiser of rallies and events to protest the restrictions, which have led to the closure of much-loved bars and clubs in the city's centre and Kings Cross precinct.

In a video posted to KSO's Facebook page, spokesperson Tyson Koh said the group wanted to ask followers whether it should run for parliament.

"We've been able to get a half hour extension for many venues across Sydney. Also, we've been able to extend the hours of bottle shops right across New South Wales and, also, for small bars, you don't have to put a Coke or a soda water into your fine malt whiskys either," he said of amendments to the original law package.

"None of this wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for you."

But Koh said this hadn't changed the main problem.

Lockout curfews still remained, business confidence was at an all time low, and Sydney was the laughing stock of cities around the world, he said: "New South Wales is broken and sorely lacking in innovative, fresh ideas that put people first instead of developers and big business."

Koh said KSO volunteers would be asking whether they should start a party to run for the senate in the next state election over the coming weeks.

"We need 750 registered members and if we can achieve that over the next few weeks then it's pretty clear that you think we should run," he said.

He added issues surrounding planning laws, corruption, over development and how culture and arts were valued in the city had been unearthed since the group had formed.

Keep Sydney Open will host a 'Meet Me in Darlo' event this Saturday, October 21, in Darlinghurst, where you can sign up as a party member and enjoy some music and good times.

Head to KSO's Facebook page to check out the video and find out more.

The next NSW state election will be held in the first half of 2019.

Scott Carbines is Mixmag's Australian Digital Content Editor, follow him on Twitter

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