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Sam Neill: “I don’t really want to see Adelaide being a place to go for a good weekend”

Kiwi actor Sam Neill has taken a jab at Adelaide while attacking the effect of Sydney’s lockout laws on that city’s nightlife.

Aug 16, 2016, updated Aug 16, 2016
Sam Neill with his young co-star Julian Dennison in Hunt for the Wilderpeople.

Sam Neill with his young co-star Julian Dennison in Hunt for the Wilderpeople.

The star of films including Jurassic Park, The Piano and the recently released New Zealand comedy Hunt for the Wilderpeople was speaking at an announcement yesterday about a change in location for the Tropfest short film festival.

While on the podium, he said that Sydney’s lockout laws had “taken the guts” out of the city – ending his comment with a crack about Adelaide.

“Sydney [in the 1970s] seemed to me to be the most vibrant place in the world and I think a lot of that vibrancy has been sucked out of the place,” Neill said.

“I particularly lament this lockout which has taken the guts out of the nightlife of Sydney. And Sydney without nightlife is kind of a pointless place.

“I don’t really want to see Adelaide being a place to go for a good weekend. I don’t see the point of that.”

The actor, who also criticised the move to ban greyhound racing in New South Wales, added that Sydney’s Kings Cross was now one of the saddest places he’d ever been to: “Instead of making the streets safe, they’ve just stopped the streets.”

Premier Jay Weatherill responded to Neill’s comments about Adelaide with his own slapdown:

“I don’t tend to focus too much on Sam Neill,” he said.

“I rarely see him making an intelligent contribution that’s worth responding to.”

Adelaide City Council and the South Australian Government have sought to increase the vibrancy of the city in recent years, with changes to licensing laws encouraging the proliferation of small bars, investment in the live music scene, and the rejuvenation of city laneways.

Lord Mayor Martin Haese was in transit this morning, but told InDaily in a statement: “Unfortunately we see these type of comments now and then as our night life continues to thrive, while places like Sydney battle with over-regulation.

“Whether it’s enjoying a game of football at the best stadium in Australia, our festivals and theatres or one of the plethora of small bars throughout our city, there’s more and more to do at night in Adelaide.”

It’s not the first time Neill has found himself in hot water following a seemingly throwaway remark.

Fifteen years ago, the actor attracted the ire of residents of this writer’s home town in New Zealand when he made comments perceived as suggesting it was boring and quiet. He later redeemed himself after taking up an invitation to visit the town and speak about his “life and times”.

Asked if he would likewise invite the actor to visit Adelaide, Lord Mayor Haese said: “I would be more than happy to take Mr Neill on a guided tour of the city at night and I am sure we could change his mind.”

-with AAP

Topics: Adelaide
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