Pubs and clubs may close at 3:00am under new Qld Government proposal

The Queensland Government is considering a plan to close pubs and clubs at 3:00am to try to reduce alcohol-related violence.

Earlier closing times, extra police and public transport are among a number of recommendations from an expert advisory panel.

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie says he will make a decision on the proposal by the end of the year.

"There has been a similar intervention in Newcastle and they've certainly had quite a lot of success down there on a range of issues including trading hours," he said.

"They also have had a reduction in serious assaults of about 37 per cent in alcohol-related violence."

Mr Bleijie says he is also looking at increasing penalties for those who behave recklessly under the influence of alcohol.

"I can advise that we are seriously looking at the penalties applicable to people who do the wrong thing," he said.

"If we have to increase those penalties, to substantially increase those penalties, to substantially increase the banning orders then we'll consider that as well."

Doctor advocates meaningful change

Dr Anthony Lynham from the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital sees the effects of alcohol-related violence every day and says drastic change is needed.

"It is a problem to date that has not been addressed in any meaningful and effective measure," he said.

"We know what needs to be done from hardcore evidence that has been accumulated over many years.

"We do need to wind the trading hours back to 3:00am."

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers says reducing the level of alcohol-related violence would take a large burden off police.

"We will also see police return to other duties and the police not having to deal with these people who are subject or victims as a result of these vicious violent acts which continue to occur."

"A sensible approach"

Clubs Queensland CEO Doug Flockhart says he does not believe the 100 clubs licensed to trade between 3:00am and 5:00am are turning profits in those hours.

Clubs Queensland says it supports a recommendation from an expert advisory panel to close bars and clubs across the state at 3:00am.

"There's over 6,500 licensed venues in Queensland and only 100 of them currently trade between 3:00am and 5:00am," he said.

"Given that number, restricting trade to 3:00am maximum moving forward is just a sensible approach, statistically it works, so therefore why not do it."

Cabarets Queensland Sarosh Mehta says it would support proposed changes to trading hours.

Mr Mehta says the changes would be a step in the right direction.

"We certainly will support any move to create a safer environment, because at the end of the day it's good for business," he said.

"Who wants a violent and an unsafe environment - nobody in their right mind would want that.

"We want people to come to our businesses and to have a good time and feel safe about it."

Earlier closing times won't help

A group representing Fortitude Valley bar owners says closing licensed venues earlier will not address the social issues driving alcohol-fuelled violence and undermines Brisbane's bid to become a world-class city.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk wants a greater emphasis on entertainment in the CBD to be part of the city's new 20-year master plan.

Valley Liquor Accord chairman Nick Braben says the proposal for earlier closing times will not help.

"We want Brisbane to be a new world city as the council like to call it ," he said.

"Alcohol-related violence is a really complex issue and there is not silver bullet cure," he said.

"Trading hours aren't going to change the fact there is a section of the youth that have problems with anti-social behaviour."

Source: ABC News, 19 September 2013