Mike Baird slams 'hysterical' claims about Sydney's lockout laws

NSW Premier Mike Baird has described claims lockout laws are killing Sydney's night-life as "hysterical".

The premier has written a lengthy Facebook post repudiating a social media campaign to overturn the laws targeting Sydney's CBD drinking venues.

What do you think of Sydney's lockout laws? Comment below

"The main complaints seem to be that you can’t drink till dawn any more and you can’t impulse-buy a bottle of white after 10pm.

"I understand that this presents an inconvenience. Some say this makes us an international embarrassment.

"Except, assaults are down by 42.2 per cent."

The lockout laws prohibit larger bars in the CBD from admitting customers after 1.30am, and stops them serving alcohol after 3am.

Baird pointed out that since the lockout laws were introduced, the number of small bars in Sydney has doubled.

In the Facebook post made on midday today, Baird said the laws were created to "curb violence and eliminate drinking ghettos".

"Now, some have suggested these laws are really about moralising," he wrote.

"They are right.

"These laws are about the moral obligation we have to protect innocent people from drunken violence."

The reaction from Facebook users was mixed, but many were deeply unhappy.

"You've got no idea and no care factor to what you've done to Sydney's nightlife. You're a disgrace to Sydney. You're the embarrassment," user Dave Trott wrote.

"You are so clearly out of touch with your constituents and reality, it's laughable," Phil Lee wrote.

The lockout laws are currently under review, with its effect on crime and on businesses to be reviewed.