Lockout laws passed in Queensland

by Leon Gettler

And so it’s official: Queenslanders won’t be able to buy grog in the early hours of the morning.

The state’s minority government got the rural based Katter Australian Party MPs Rob Katter and Shane Knuth on board in the early hours of Thursday morning to pass the contentious legislation fiercely opposed by the Opposition.

From 1 July, there will be a 2am last drinks call state wide. Venues in night club precincts will be able to serve booze until 3am.

A 1am lockout will be imposed on venues including those in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast and Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley from February 2017

Up until now, Queenslanders have had to abide by a 3am lockout.

The new law also allows for bans on people convicted of drug offences.

The legislation has had its fair share of critics who claim businesses will close, jobs will be lost, musicians will struggle for gigs, and youth unemployment will soar.

Nick Braban, secretary of the lobby group Our Nightlife Queensland, which represents 80 night venues from Coolangatta to Cairns, claims the government and the Katter MPs are protecting big business, particularly casinos.

The Queensland laws will be reviewed after two years.

18th February 2016