Another Australian state is set for lockout laws
And they're even stricter than Sydney's
As Sydney prepares to hit the streets against the city's lockout laws, the Queensland state parliament is about to pass even tougher legislation.
From July 1, last drinks will be called at 2am across the northern Australian state, apart from at venues within the 15 designated 'Safe Night Precincts', where alcohol will be allowed to be served until 3am. A 1am lockout will be enforced on bars and clubs in those precincts, including Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast and Brisbane's Fortitude Valley, from February 1, 2017. The legislation will also allow for people convicted of drug offences to be banned from those areas.
The Labor government will get the legislation through today after reaching an agreement with two MPs from the rural-focussed Katter's Australian Party.
Queenslanders previously had to abide by a 3am lockout, while Sydney clubbers cannot enter a new venue within a designated 'CBD entertainment precinct' after 1.30am. Like in Sydney, the Queensland laws will be reviewed after two years and are also aimed at reducing 'alcohol-fuelled violence.'
Scott Carbines is Mixmag's Australian Online News Editor, follow him on Twitter.