Things that should not be a surprise to anyone: This.
Queensland quietly introduced its own
Lockout Laws a while back, and they officially started coming into effect this past weekend.
The laws are very similar to the stupidly controversial laws currently in place in New South Wales, and restricts how long through the night pubs and clubs can serve alcohol.
And with one weekend in lockout-enforced Queensland in the bank, how is everyone faring so far?
The short, and thunderously unsurprising answer, is that pubs and clubs had their revenue drop. By a lot in some cases.
Figures show that most venues in the south-east of the state took a turnover hit that averaged somewhere between 5% and 10%.
But in the more popular nightlife regions like Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley and tourist spots like Cairns and Airlie Beach were hit even harder, baring the brunt of revenue that was down some 20% compared to the same time last year.
Revenue figures show that overall business in the Valley was down 17% on Friday night, and a whopping 19% on Saturday night.
Nick Braban, spokesman for Keep Queensland Open, stated that small businesses in the industry are not equipped to endure such a sudden and pronounced drop-off in business.
“Small businesses in the Valley will not be able to sustain revenue drops like this for too long.”
“Without an immediate shift in patron attendance habits, more bars will close, more jobs will be lost, and there will be less opportunities for performers in our city.”
QLD Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath blasted worried attitudes from businesses and calls for the laws to be scrapped, stating that the laws will help foster business and encourage people to come out and enjoy the nightlife (despite all evidence in NSW pointing to the contrary).
“We want licensed venues to be working with us to promote our nightlife and not talking it down, as some have been.”
“The Palaszczuk Government has said all along that by making safe night out precincts safer, more people will come out at night to enjoy our entertainment precincts and the live music industry.”
The laws stipulate that all pubs in QLD cannot serve alcohol after 2am, however those that lie within the state’s 15 dedicated entertainment precincts can shut at 3am. Clubs and pubs in those areas can apply for extended trade permits up to 12 times a year.
Perceivably restrictive laws that encourage people to stay away = less money through businesses. Who would’ve bloody thought?
Photo: Glenn Hunt/Getty.
