Queensland faces Australia's toughest drinking laws
Last drinks will be at 2am if the government has its way
Queensland clubbers could soon face Australia's toughest drinking laws, with the State Government's controversial nightlife plan set to hit parliament later this week.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk wants to implement a statewide ban on the service of alcohol after 2am, having previously proposed a 1am lockout and 3am cessation of service for bars and clubs earlier this year.
Under the new plan, venues within designated entertainment zones would be allowed to serve alcohol until 3am if they agreed to implement a 1am lockout and, as with the previous plan, drinks high in alcohol such as shots would be banned after midnight. The proposed laws would be introduced in July next year if they passed.
Mirroring the infamous laws in place in Sydney, the legislation is part of a plan to tackle alcohol-related violence on city streets. However, critics say the 'lockout' and 'last drinks' laws punish the public and restrict freedoms without addressing the core of the issue.
Attorney General Yvette D'ath says Queenslanders will still be able to pull some top-shelf all-nighters even if the laws do pass, telling media: "You can have a coffee. You can have a water. You can have a soft drink. You can have a flutter on the pokies and the enjoyment of the nightlife that is there."
GREAT.