Queensland pushes forward with lockout laws

Queensland could be set to adopt controversial New South Wales-style late night lockouts for bars and clubs in a bid to curb alcohol-related violence.

Queensland could introduce lockout laws for bars and clubs if proposed legislation is given the go ahead this week

Although Queensland’s Labor government had previously refused to back down on its plans for 1am lockouts and 3am last orders, the government has revised its proposals and announced a new 2am last drinks policy on Sunday.

However, venues in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley and the Gold Coast will be given the opportunity to apply for 3am last drinks if they have a 1am lockout, which has been dubbed the “one-way-door policy”.

New South Wales (NSW) introduced similar laws in January 2014 with 10pm closing times for all off-trade establishments, alongside 1.30am lockouts and 3am last drinks in certain areas.

While the measures have been praised for a 32% reduction in assaults in Kings Cross and 26% in the rest of the Sydney CBD, according to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, they have also been blamed for high numbers of pub closures.

Attorney general Yvette D’Ath said: “We are standing up against alcohol-fuelled violence in our community. Personal safety must be paramount.

“This government made a commitment at the last election to the people of Queensland to keep their loved ones safe when they went out at night, and this comprehensive package is designed to do just that.

“This is a comprehensive package that gets the balance just right.

“It allows our licensed venues to continue to trade under their existing hours so people can enjoy Queensland’s entertainment and nightlife at the same time as dealing with alcohol-fuelled harm in the early hours by calling last drinks at 2am.”

The Australian Medical Association, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Queensland Coalition for Action on Alcohol have all welcomed the plans.

However, Our Nightlife Queensland has hit back at the government for putting small businesses at risk with the new measures.

“People will move into underground and illegal networks to purchase not only liquor, but drugs which are easily available in the suburbs, where they will now continue their partying and socialising in unregulated spaces in suburban areas,” said secretary Nick Braban.