2017-01-23
The Greens are calling on the Queensland Labor government to scrap the 1am lockout laws entirely, rather than just put them on them on hold.
Queensland Greens Convenor Andrew Bartlett says he welcomes reports that state Cabinet is planning to halt implementation of the lockout laws which are due to start next week, but warns the Labor Party not to just defer the matter until after the election.
Mr Bartlett said there is no doubt a 1am lockout would cause the loss of a significant number of jobs across a range of small businesses who rely on a vibrant night time economy, as well as harm Queensland's globally recognised music scene.
"It is bad enough that Labor has left it until the last moment to backdown on their hardline position, leaving hundreds of venues and small businesses in a state of uncertainty. Deferring or pausing the laws, rather scrapping them entirely, will maintain that uncertainty."
"Both Labor in Queensland and the Liberals in New South Wales are guilty of rushing in ill-considered, heavy handed laws which targetting young people and gave no consideration to the impacts on local jobs and culture."
"This could have been avoided simply by listening to the community, who repeatedly warned the laws were flawed."