Felicity Caldwell reports in the Brisbane Times (23.1.17) on the Palaszczuk government’s announcement that its proposed lockout laws for licensed venues will not be introduced, instead maintaining laws already trialled and other measures aiming to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence.
‘The 1am lockout at Queensland bars has been scrapped and mandatory ID scanners will be introduced in Safe Night Precincts by mid-2017.
‘Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made the announcement with Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath and State Development Minister Anthony Lynham on Monday, after cabinet discussed a report into the first six months of the government’s laws to curb alcohol-fuelled violence.
‘From July 1, 2016, service of alcohol was required to stop at 2am across Queensland, or 3am last drinks in Safe Night Precincts, and shots were banned after midnight. A 1am lockout was expected to be introduced on February 1, 2017, for venues that were trading until 3am.
‘But a report into the first six months of the government’s new liquor laws shows little effect on alcohol-related violence. There was no obvious reduction in alcohol-related assaults in the period from July 1 to December 31, either in Safe Night Precincts or across Queensland.’
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