Bar Wunder remains defiant in face of Queensland Government Covid-19 restrictions

Police have confirmed how they will deal with Toowoomba venues that flout the state government’s Covid mandate. DETAILS:

A Toowoomba venue has vowed to remain defiant in the face of the Queensland Government’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate, despite copping a $6000 fine.

New restrictions came into effect on December 17, limiting unvaccinated residents from entering hospitality and entertainment venues, with staff members at these venues required to ask all patrons aged 16 or older for proof of vaccination and to check in through the Check in Qld app.

In a post on Facebook, popular Toowoomba establishment Bar Wunder revealed they had been issued a $6672 fine “because we accept everyone equally”.

A sign stating ‘We Will Not Comply’ was also temporarily put up outside their venue on Friday night.

Describing the vaccine mandate and exclusion of the unvaccinated as “segregation”, the venue promised to fight against the laws.

“We do not believe this a public health issue, but one of complete control headed towards tyranny,” the post stated.

“The nonsensical rules are hypocritical and arbitrary and we don’t want to play this game.

“Many businesses have suffered tremendously this weekend because of these weird arse rules and felt conflicted about how to navigate them after 20 months of having to pivot and adjust. Enough is enough!”

Darling Downs District City Patrol Group Inspector Paul James said police conducted a number of compliance checks at hospitality venues over the weekend, and a vast majority were complying with the new rules.

“We were fairly active around the licenced venues and generally there was a high level of compliance among licensees,” he said.

“They were aware it was going to happen.”

Inspector James confirmed Bar Wunder were issued with an infringement notice by the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation on Saturday night.

Describing their defiance to the mandate as “not tenable” with public health goals or with other licensees who are abiding by the provisions, Inspector James said police were working with OLGR and Queensland Health in assessing what further actions may be taken.

“There’s a few different agencies involved that have a stake in it so we will be discussing it in the near future,” he said.

“They’ve indicated they’re not going to comply so it’s somewhere that we will be keeping an eye on.”

An OLGR spokesman stated that businesses with vaccination entry requirements, including licensed hospitality venues, have to take reasonable steps to check patrons’ vaccination status.

“While undertaking compliance inspections in Toowoomba over the weekend, compliance officers from OLGR found a licensed premise not to be complying with the Public Health Direction. Bar Wunder was issued a fine of $6,672,” he said.

“OLGR will continue to monitor the compliance of licenced venues with public health directions.”

Bar Wunder co-owner Fiona Davis declined to comment further.