THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING AT CLOSING ALL LICENSED VENUES AT 2AM OR 3AM.
WE ARE QUEENSLAND CITIZENS WHO OPPOSE THIS MEASURE.
Who are we?

QueenslandLockedOut.com is a citizen’s lobby group formed by the public in protest against the new proposal of the lockout/ shutdown policy. We are the patrons reclaiming our nightlife.
We believe the lockout is overlegislation and a short term political fix to the problem of alcohol violence. It is the result of a failure to adequately plan for growth in population and demands for inner-city public spaces.
What we are doing?
We are calling on public and media scrutiny of the proposed policy demanding a viable, reasoned and long-term solution to the issues of violence.
We are pressuring the government into backing down over the curfew. We are reclaiming our nightlife and saying “shutdown the lockdown”.
Get Involved.

Issues

The cases of extreme violence on our streets are a major social issue. The violence on our streets places an immediate strain on police, emergency and health system resources.
We firmly believe that everyone has to the right to use Brisbane’s venues and public spaces without the threat of violence.

What is the lockout/ shutdown?

The lockout is a declaration that says nobody may enter licensed premises after a certain time, even if you have already been inside that venue.
Currently, Queensland has a 3am lockout and a 5am shutdown which was introduced in 2006.
Despite several Government and Independent reports showing that the lockout has not worked; The Queensland Government and Police Department Union are looking to introduce further restrictions where the lockout will be brought back to 12am and all venues shut down at 2am.

Why do we oppose it?

Economy

Queensland’s entertainment and hospitality industry is a valuable contributor to Queensland’s economy and culture – contributing to the growth of jobs, consumer spending and small business. Queensland’s nightlife is a valuable draw for tourism and visitors.
A city’s nightlife develops its cosmopolitan culture, expression and connection with the world. Brisbane was voted one of the 5 best entertainment precincts in the world. Many similar cities to Brisbane, including Dublin, Copenhagen and Manchester have been able to create a positive and valuable urban and late-night culture by adequately planning and managing of public resources.
A lockout as proposed would be devastating to Queensland’s economy through the loss of jobs and small business and set Queensland’s urban cultural development back 15 years.

Lack of Clear Data

Independent reports have pointed to the lack of clear data on the growth of crime as a result of alcohol. Media reports of an increase in street violence fail to take into account increases in population or the increase in demand for entertainment areas such as the Fortitude Valley or CBD areas.
There is little scientific evidence to show that the use of alcohol increases the propensity to cause violence; rather concluding that a person who is already aggressive or violent may be more likely to act violently after consuming alcohol. This places responsibility at the personal level; requiring the industry and government to act to stop violent offenders, rather than control the population as a whole.

Civil Liberties

It would be wrong to over-legislate for the actions of a violent few. The current lockout prevents people leaving a venue for food, water or fresh air and inhibits their individual choices.
It is clear that there is demand for late-night venues in Queensland; with many; including shift-workers, hospitality workers and music-lovers. A government should not waste resources creating controls on the rights of people; but ensure that those who cause violent crime take personal responsibility for their actions.

Safety

The proposed reveals a failure to fully understand the issues of violence. A person within a licensed venue is under the control and protection of the Responsible Service of Acohol provisions and security of that venue.
Once a patron is no longer inside a venue, they are not able to get home and are then left at the mercy of the streets.
Frequently people, including young women are locked out of a venue by themselves, are unable contact friends and have no choice but to walk through the streets by themselves.
The failure to create adequate public transport infrastructure and cab provisions means patrons are continually left on the streets; increasing the risk of violence. Police and health workers will be unable to handle the increase in street traffic and assaults, as their resources are already stretched to capacity.
Increased street traffic is a predominant outcome of the new lockout/ shutdown proposal. When the 3am lockout laws were first introduced on the Gold Coast, people naturally spilled out of the nightclubs and onto the street, causing havoc.
We instead demand a holistic industry plan that includes precinct management, the development of infrastructure, prosecution of violent crime, increase police presence and responsible service of alcohol

What do we want?

We want the current lockout and all proposals for the lockdown/ shutdown to be cancelled.
We want to sit down with the government, police and licensees as representatives of the public, and come up with real solutions rather than another band-aid policy.