Queensland Premier “We want to be a place where people can have a great party time”

Extensive school based education including compulsory alcohol and drug education in all Queensland schools from years 7 to 12, tougher fines and penalties for anti-social behaviour, the introduction of drunk tanks (where the dangerously drunk dry out for a bit), stationing more police in Queensland’s entertainment precincts, addressing concerns about safe and appropriate transport arrangements and toughening up on responsible service of alcohol practices instead of “simply winding back trading hours”, as NSW has done, are at the forefront of a draft strategy formed by consulting the community.

  

“Most Queenslanders drink and behave responsibly when in public, so we are not about lecturing Queenslanders on their drinking habits,” Mr Newman writes in the public document. “Rather this is about developing a comprehensive plan to target the anti-social and disruptive behaviour that, when mixed with alcohol or drugs, can so easily lead to mindless violence and tragedy.”  

“We want to deal with drug and alcohol-fuelled violence, but we want one other very important thing to be underlying all of this, that we want to have a nightlife in Queensland,” Mr Newman said. “We want to be a place where people can have a great party time. Where they can let their hair down, where they can enjoy themselves.” 

“What we are saying though is that the community have said enough is enough when it comes to anti-social behaviour and aggressive, violent behaviour,” Mr. Newman continued. “What this plan is all about is changing the culture.”

The Opposition criticised the strategy for “being beholden to the vested interests involved” and for failing to shorten trading hours. 

If passed, the strategy will be trialled in Brisbane for a year before being enacted across the rest of the state.

You can still have your say here.