New lockout times centrepiece of Labor’s Tackling Alcohol Fuelled Violence Policy

Media Release

A Labor Government would introduce a 1am lockout and legislate to stop the service of alcohol in night clubs, pubs and other licensed premises at 3am as part of a raft of new proposals outlined today in the Opposition’s Tackling Alcohol Fuelled Violence policy.

“Young people who go out to night clubs and entertainment precincts — and their parents — deserve to know they can have a good night out and a safe night out as well,” Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

“People want action on the sickening problem of young people having their lives ruined by alcohol-fuelled violence. All they are getting from the arrogant Newman Government is more stalling and a total lack of leadership.”

Releasing the Tackling Alcohol Fuelled Violence policy today, Ms Palaszczuk said while the Premier and his government continued to ignore the advice of their own expert panel established to provide solutions to Queensland’s growing binge drinking problem and associated violence, Labor’s wide-ranging policy would tackle the problem at its core.

“Anyone who works at the coal-face and deals with the results of alcohol-fuelled violence will tell you that the most damage is done in the two hours after 1am and that’s why it’s imperative that we tackle this growing problem by introducing the 1am lockout and stopping service by 3am,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“That does not mean night clubs and the like have to shut their doors at 3am. They would still be allowed to offer coffee, food and entertainment but could not sell alcohol."

“I understand that is not going to be popular with everyone – which is no doubt why the Premier is stalling and ignoring the advice of his own expert panel – but we can’t continue to see lives and families shattered."

“We can’t wait for more people to be injured or killed to find a solution."

“We need leadership on this issue and Queensland is just not getting that. We need action and tangible solutions and that’s what this Labor policy offers.”

Shadow Police and Emergency Services Minister Bill Byrne said alcohol-fuelled violence placed an unfair burden on innocent people, including those whose job it was to respond to violent incidents.

“When people drink too much and resort to violence it can also be the police officers, ambos, and the nursing and medical staff at hospital emergency departments who pick up the pieces and also pay a price,” Mr Byrne said.

“They also deserve to be protected from the impact of senseless, alcohol-fuelled violence.”

Ms Palaszczuk said the Tackling Alcohol Fuelled Violence policy also committed to:

• Continue the operation of the Drink Safe Precincts established by the former Labor Government in Fortitude Valley and Townsville and on the Gold Coast and consider their expansion into other areas
• Ban the sale of high-alcohol content drinks – including shots – after midnight
•  Give police the power to breathalyse intoxicated and disorderly patrons leading to the possible prosecution of patrons as well as staff and licensees
•  Maintain the current moratorium on very-late-night/early morning trading
•  Mandatory bans for repeat offenders, similar to mandatory disqualifications for drink drivers
• Investigate strategies to ensure safe travel to and from work for industry staff in the early hours

Maxillo-facial surgeon Dr Anthony Lynham, chair of the Queensland Coalition for Action on Alcohol (QCAA) sees the results of alcohol-fuelled violence on a weekly basis. He has welcomed Labor’s support for the QCAA five point plan to reduce alcohol-related harms in Queensland.

“Dr Lynham is the man who every week puts victims and their lives back together and I’m happy to support the QCAA plan. He is one of our leading authorities and I’m more than willing to listen to him and take his advice,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Dr Lynham said:

“Policy that prevents alcohol related violence should be based of reliable research evidence."

“I welcome the support of Annastacia Palaszczuk, the Leader of the Opposition, for 3 a.m. closing and a 1am lockout.”

Professor Jake Najman, Director of the Queensland Drug and Alcohol Research and Education Centre (QADREC), at the University of Queensland has also given Labor’s plan a ringing endorsement.

Professor Najman said:

“As a member of Queensland Coalition for Action on Alcohol, I welcome Ms Palaszczuk’s sensible approach to alcohol policy."

“More police and stiffer penalties are a simplistic, costly and ineffective approach to preventing alcohol related violence."

“The alcohol industry needs to accept the evidence for limited trading hours and adhere to the regulations for responsible service."

“These Regulations need to be effectively enforced."

“Parents and the wider community rightly expect the Premier to put the safety of young Queenslanders first.”