The Palaszczuk Government is delivering on its election commitment to keep Queenslanders safe with the passage of the Tackling Alcohol-Fuelled Violence Amendment Bill in State Parliament this morning.
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“We are committed to curbing alcohol-fuelled violence, but we are also committed to increasing employment and devoting more resources to mental health”, Premier Palaszczuk said in a statement, which you can read below.
But critics argue casinos are protected because of the money they pump into state coffers.
He said smaller venues would struggle with the changes.
Mr Braban expected the lockout laws would also boost those figures.
Queensland will soon get venue lockout laws which are even harsher than Sydney’s controversial nightclub-closing restrictions.
From July 1, a 3am last drinks policy will be implemented in designated “Safe Night Precincts”, with all other venues in the state forced to cease the service of alcohol at 2am.
Sydney’s Star Casino was labelled the victor of the city’s lockout laws in 2014 after its gaming revenue rose, although the casino maintained its patronage had remained the same.
“We have been listening to many people right across Queensland and we believe they should not punish clubs that are doing the right thing”, Knuth said in October. “They are not there to sell alcohol”.
Labor’s one public voice of dissent on the legislation, Cairns MP Rob Pyne – who had previously questioned its impact on the economy in his electorate but on Monday said he had a moral obligation to vote for it to try to save lives – was paired with an ill LNP MP, and did not speak.
“My government’s laws will pass through the parliament of Queensland”, Ms Palaszczuk said.
The Queensland council for civil liberties opposes scanning regimes because of the potential for privacy violations and a lack of demonstrated effectiveness reducing violence in places such as Victoria and Canada.
Labor celebrated its last-minute deal which secured the Katter’s Australian Party MPs support, thereby securing the legislation’s success.
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Queensland has announced a tough new set of lock-out laws set to combat alcohol-fuelled violence, at a time where the debate surrounding similar regulations in NSW continues to gain momentum.
