By Annette Shailer
The Queensland Police Union has recommended the Queensland Parliament restrict nightclub hours until 2am and suburban hotels to 12 midnight to help reduce alcohol-related violence.
Queensland Police Union general president, Ian Leavers, publicly released the submission last week detailing the need for the earlier closing times.
“Too many people have been severely bashed, injured, maimed and disfigured all in the mistaken belief that swilling alcohol until dawn somehow makes us internationally superior or sophisticated – it doesn’t,” Leavers said.
“There is now plenty of evidence that selling liquor until sunrise is taking a high toll on our youth. They are ending up in our watchhouses, courts, ambulances and our hospitals at an alarming rate and otherwise sensible young men and women are committing acts of brutality and callousness whilst blind drunk that destroys their future and that of their victims and families.”
The submission was sent to the Law, Justice and Safety Committee of the Queensland Parliament, which is due to finalise its report on venue opening hours, alcohol education campaigns and glass bans by March.
“I’m not a wowser and enjoy a drink as much as the next person, however, I’ve never had a drink after 2am that I really needed or improved my judgment,” Leavers said.
“In the early hours of the morning, busy entertainment districts such as Fortitude Valley and Surfers Paradise are very violent and hazardous places. The party atmosphere is regularly shattered by acts of savagery and brutality that shocks even seasoned police and ambulance officers.”
The submission was followed by an incident at a Brisbane hotel on Saturday morning that saw a 26-year-old man glassed, suffering serious face and eye injuries.
Police charged a 27-year-old man with three offences in relation to the assault and he will appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court tomorrow on one count each of grievous bodily harm, acts intended to maim, and wounding.