Queensland lockout laws scrapped as new bill introduced

ATTORNEY-General Yvette D’Ath has introduced an amendment bill that will see the Queensland Government’s planned lockout laws officially scrapped.

Four cheerful friends toasting with beer at pub

ATTORNEY-General Yvette D’Ath today introduced an amendment bill that will see the Government’s planned lockout laws officially scrapped.

Introducing the bill, Ms D’Ath said the Government had considered the evidence from independent research in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley showing there had been no downward trend in late night assaults since introduction of reduced trading hours on July 1 last year.

Queensland Attorney General Yvette A'Darth has introduced an amendment bill to scrap the Government’s planned lockout laws.

The amendment bill will also make the use of ID scanners for all late night venues compulsory after 10pm and the use of special exemptions for nightclubs to operate until 5am will be halved to six per year.

Ms D’Ath said the “systematic and widespread” use of the 5am exemptions by nightclubs in the Safe Night Precincts meant there had not been a single weekend without 5am trading in Fortitude Valley since the introduction of the laws on July 1.

“The Palaszczuk Government realises that evidence is not static and at times further refining is needed to ensure that the Approach being taken represents the most efficient and effective way to achieve harm minimisation objectives,” she said.

“The Government acknowledges the extensive amount of national and international research which indicates that reducing late night liquor hours significantly decreases alcohol related assaults.”

Ms D’Ath said the policing surrounding the six exemptions each year will come under tougher scrutiny and only granted for “special occasions.”

Licensees will not be granted more than one exemption per month and will not be allowed one on back-to-back days unless the Liquor and Gaming commissioner deems it to be for a “special occasion.”

“While a maximum of six permits may be issued, it is not intended they necessarily all be granted to a licensee for any one year,” she said.

Originally published as Queensland lockout laws scrapped as new bill introduced