Publicado
Tue, Nov 10, 2015, 22:00
- Statewide licensing restrictions may be implemented mid-way through next year.
Queensland's Labor government have proposed a 2 AM statewide 'last drinks' policy which could come into effect in July 2016.
The issue of legislated early bar closures and lockouts, which we recently investigated in Sydney, is one that's been similarly brewing in Queensland for more than 12 months. After an ongoing effort to implement 1 AM lockout and 3 AM last drinks for the state as a way to combat alcohol-related violence, the Labor government has revised its proposal to a blanket cessation of service at 2 AM—although venues in so-called Safe Night Precincts, including Fortitude Valley and the Gold Coast, can apply to adapt the former lockout restrictions. Casinos would be exempt from the proposed laws.
A community group named Our Nightlife Queensland is one organisation speaking out against the restrictions and their potentially harmful impacts on the nighttime economy. In a press release sent out this week, ONQ secretary Nick Braban criticised Labor's lack of industry consultation, saying "an 11th-hour deal has been done with one sector of the hospitality industry, completely ignoring pubs, live music venues, small bars and nightclubs. What’s being put forward by the government will kill our entertainment precincts as it has done in Sydney, because young people will fail to see the value in coming. It simply won't be worth their time or money. We hope that the government has a plan for the displacement of people partying in the suburbs, however, we are certain they do not."
Queensland's state parliament has resumed sitting this week, with the proposed laws expected to be a key topic for the week.