Queensland lockout laws: Cabinet to meet today over future of controversial policy
Updated
A Queensland Government Minister and facial surgeon has played down the importance of a 1:00am lockout for pubs and clubs as Cabinet prepares to decide whether to scrap the policy.
The new laws to combat alcohol-fuelled violence are due to start next week, but the Government has hinted it may choose to introduce compulsory ID scanners instead.
Queensland's Cabinet is set to meet at 2:00pm to discuss the future of the lockout laws.
It will receive a report today on the effectiveness of measures already in place, such as a ban on shots after midnight.
Speaking on ABC Brisbane, Cabinet Minister Anthony Lynham said he was a passionate advocate of lockout laws but said measures that have already been introduced such as earlier last drinks were more important.
"The most crucial thing in our medical bag is to wind back the trading hours by two hours," he said.
"The remainder are all complimentary measures such as the lockouts, the scanners. They assist with the prime mechanism."
Clubs and pubs 'gaming the system'
What's banned after midnight:
- Shooters, shots, bombs, test tubes, jelly shots
- Drinks containing more than 45ml of spirits or liqueur
- Pre-mixed alcoholic drinks containing more than 5 per cent alcohol and/or containing more than two standard drinks
What's not banned after midnight:
- Beers
- Wines
- Cocktails, if they are listed on a cocktails menu, with a set price
- Spirits or liqueurs, served with or without a mixer and under 45ml of alcohol (such as gin and tonic, rum and cola, neat whisky)
Queensland's alcohol laws, which came into effect in July 2016, mean people are no longer allowed to buy alcohol after 2:00am, while last drinks are at 3:00am in the state's 15 safe night precincts.
Patrons are given 30 minutes to finish drinks they have already bought.
Pubs and clubs do not have to close at those times, but have to serve non-alcoholic drinks.
Dr Lynham said there was no clear data on whether the trial to have last drinks at 3:00am had worked because venues had been using special event exemptions to continue serving alcohol.
"The clubs and pubs have been gaming the system," he said.
"And most clubs and pubs are on a roster system in these precincts so none of the precincts are closing or having last drinks at 3:00am".
Scanner reports unconfirmed by Tourism Minister
Tourism Minister Kate Jones would not confirm reports the lockout laws would be dropped and replaced by the scanners.
"I'm not going to pre-empt decisions of the Government, but can I say my strong view is that we get the balance right," Ms Jones said.
"We need to ensure that young people are safe when they go out, but also that we support businesses and we have vibrant cities."
Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said the Government was set to reverse its position, and adopt the LNP's policy.
"People don't want the Government to stick their nose into their business," he said.
"And having fun on a Friday or a Saturday night, being personally responsible, those are the things that people expect, together with a solid framework to punish a few but not to punish everyone for the sins of a few."
Topics: government-and-politics, parliament, state-parliament, brisbane-4000, qld
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