Independent MP Billy Gordon is calling for the Palaszczuk Government to make several amendments to its proposed lockout laws in exchange for his support to get the legislation through Parliament.
The former Labor MP is calling for several changes to the proposed legislation, which is trying to introduce a 1:00am lockout and 3:00am closing time, in a bid to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence.
Mr Gordon, along with Katter’s Australian Party’s Shane Knuth and Robbie Katter, announced last week they were planning to vote down the proposed changes.
The Member for Cook said he would support the bill if the Government:
Replace 1:00am lockout with a 3:00am closure
Take a state-wide approach to implementing the type of conditions imposed by the Brisbane City Council requiring, amongst other things, mandatory CCTV, security ratios, and drink promotion restrictions on all venues trading after midnight
Removal of all mandatory ID scanning provisions from the Liquor Act and inclusion of a framework in the Act that supports the voluntary use of the technology
“I don’t support the current pending legislation, which would have every tourist and community member forced to have their ID scanned when entering licensed premises,” Mr Gordon said.
“The privacy and other rights of the many well-behaved patrons have to outweigh the goal of stopping any breaches to banning notices.
“My compromise maintains a balance that strengthens provisions for late-night trading venues, like bars and nightclubs, to conform to mandatory safety measures, whilst targeting the perpetrators of senseless violence in our towns and cities.”
Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said the Government would introduce the laws by the end of the year.
“That legislation is still to be introduced but we will continue to work with all parties, including the cross-benchers, to deliver a good outcome for Queenslanders,” she said.
LNP spokesman Ian Walker said the party was not willing to negotiate.
“We will need great evidence needed to be presented to us for us to change our position,” he said.
Justin O’Connor from the Queensland Hotels Association said Mr Gordon’s approach was sensible.
“We should be focusing on addressing where the problems are, not where the problems aren’t,” he said.
“No-one likes a Government ramming so-called solutions down their throat and Mr Katter and Mr Gordon and Mr Knuth understand this and the hotel industry strongly supports their efforts.”
Source: ABC News
