ID scanner ‘tech issue’ allows banned patrons into pubs

A glitch in Queensland’s ID scanning network that lasted almost two months allowed more than 100 banned people into the state’s pubs and clubs.

QUEENSLAND’S ID scanning network, which detects when a banned person goes into a pub, prematurely cut notices for 116 banned people after a “technical issue”.

The Queensland Police Service today said banned person information had expired between September 29 and November 22.

Owner blames ID laws for bar’s failure

‘Qld reputation damaged’ by scanning laws

Two banned people were stopped by police within safe night precincts, but not in clubs, for offences during the period in which they were banned.

The QPS is responsible for the transfer of banned data to the ID scanner network.

Patrons head into PJ O'Brien's on Friday afternoon. A new ID scanner will be in place at the entrance of the hotel andmust be in place at bars opening after midnight from 10pm on July 1.PICTURE: JUSTIN BRIERTY

“The issue has since been fixed and no further instances of premature expiry of banning notice data have occurred,” QPS said in a statement today.

“As of December 5 there are 857 active banning notices on the QPS system.

“Any banning notice that had prematurely expired and was still relevant has since been reactivated.

“Risk based audits are being conducted to ensure the issue does not re-occur.

“The QPS will continue to review its processes and monitor the systems involved to ensure public safety.”

Of the two people charged, one related to public nuisance and obstruct police. The other related to stealing.

Earlier this year in April, the QPS said it had failed to transfer nightclub banning notice data to other agencies because of “technical issues” in computer systems.

The issue in the QPS computer system affected the transfer of 133 court-ordered banning notices and 48 bail conditions for Safe Night Precincts between July and February. The issue related to the transfer of information to the ID scanner network managed by the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation.

The network is meant to detect when a banned person attempts to enter a nightclub.

“All of the data has since been effectively transferred and police have conducted follow up investigations into instances identified in which banned people attended safe night precincts within the banning period,” the QPS statement said at the time.

It was an administrative error and the orders weren’t correctly uploaded but all venue and police bans were correctly in the system.