Liquor offenses up in Queensland, countermeasures mulled
Liquor offences, like incidents of drunken violence, have increased in Queensland over the past five years prompting the state government to consider countermeasures.
The Queensland police reported that from 3,200 in 2005, the number of liquor offences jumped to 8,500 last year. The offences included drinking in a public place, minors found on nightclubs, consumption or removal of liquor outside trading hours, faking of age and drunken adults inside licensed premises.
Assaults in southeast Queensland's nightclub hotspots have also risen from 2008 to 2009 mostly occurring in the Gold Coast and Brisbane's inner city. The Queensland Police Union suggested the deployment of additional 100 police to deal with out of control tourist, nightclub and party precincts.
The suggestion was supported by State Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek. He noted that patrols in entertainment precincts were instrumental in detecting alcohol-related violence.
QPU president Ian Leavers also proposed earlier closing hours for licensed venues, though this was vehemently opposed by licensees and young people. Other new measures mulled were a transport plan in entertainment precincts and extra emergency workers.