Queensland lockout laws: Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announces crackdown on late-night boozing

QUEENSLAND’S looming lockouts at pubs and clubs could spell the end for Schoolies Week when a raft of contentious reforms are imposed on July 1.

2014 Schoolies on the Gold Coast. These school leavers from Brisbane had no problems displaying their large collection of alcohol for the week long party. PICS MARC ROBERTSON.

• Loopy lockout laws serving up red tape on tap
• Lockout laws: Violent brawl at The Ivy sparks further debate
• Lockout laws: What good is Sydney without its soul?

THE debate around lockout laws in NSW is set to fire up further with today’s announcement that Queensland will pass its own contentious raft of reforms.

From July 1, last drinks in pubs and clubs around the state will be at 2am, with venues in nightclub precincts able to serve drinks until 3am.

A 1am lockout meant to combine with the 3am last drinks call for nightclub precincts won’t be imposed now until February 1 next year.

The laws, which could spell the end of Schoolies Week, are a response to a rise in alcohol violence and assaults including the recent fatal one-punch attack on teenager Cole Miller in Fortitude Valley.

Lockout laws were introduced in Sydney in 2014 under Barry O’Farrell following the deaths of two teenagers from alcohol-fuelled one-punch attacks.

Strengthened under NSW Premier Mike Baird, they require venues in central Sydney to turn people away from 1.30am, serve last drinks by 3am and ban takeaway alcohol sales after 10pm.

NSW Premier Mike Baird continues to face mounting pressure to water down the lockout laws in NSW. . Picture: Richard Dobson

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk got her state’s contentious lockout laws over the line after the minority government was able to secure 11th-hour crossbench support.

Katter’s Australian Party MPs Rob Katter and Shane Knuth supported the legislation after the government agreed to a list of demands and amendments, including banning drug offenders from late-night-out precincts.

OTHER NEWS: ‘DON’T DROP COKE, THE DOGS WILL LICK IT UP’

“We are committed to curbing alcohol-fuelled violence, but we are also committed to increasing employment and devoting more resources to mental health.”

However critics have labelled the looming laws as “draconian”, claiming they will cost jobs, devastate the live music scene and hurt venues in Queensland

Premier Mike Baird said assaults had fallen by 60 per cent in Kings Cross since the lockout laws were introduced.

Our Nightlife Queensland spokesman Nick Braban said the effects of lockouts in Sydney had been plain to see and accused the Queensland government and Katter Party MPs of protecting big business, particularly casinos.

“The 1am lockout drives people into larger venues... because they know they will stay open later,” he said.

The lockouts could also spell the end for Schoolies Week on the Gold Coast, which sees thousands of school leavers flock to the area for its nightlife every November and December.

Australian electronic music DJ and producer Alison Wonderland is one of the headline acts for Sunny Dayz festival in Cairns.

NSW Government currently faces strong opposition to the lockout laws amid claims they have destroyed Sydney’s nightlife.

Overseas visitors have complained about the lack of atmosphere in the CBD, while Kings Cross, once party central, is now a shadow of its former self.

An 800-word essay, written by Matt Barrie and posted to Facebook which compared Sydney to the US ghost town Detroit, went viral and DJ Alison Wonderland also weighed in to the debate.

The outspoken Sydney DJ blasted the Premier after he defended the lockouts on Facebook and described as “hysterical” claims Sydney nightlife had been decimated as a result of the laws.

The premier copped a severe backlash over his post and later appeared to back down, inviting the public to have their say on the controversial laws.

Former High Court Justice Ian Callinan has been appointed to review submissions and make recommendations based on the evidence, which will include findings from a Safe Nighttime Roundtable to be established.

— with AAP

Originally published as Queensland lockout laws: Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announces crackdown on late-night boozing