Worry scans lack publicity Licensees prepare to carry load
CONCERNS about public awareness have been raised as Cairns hotel and nightclub operators prepare for the introduction of new ID scanners.
City venues that regularly trade past midnight are due to implement ID scanning systems by this Saturday under new laws introduced by the State Government.
While confident local pubs and nightclubs would meet the July 1 deadline, Cairns City Liquor Safety Accord president John Lynch – who also manages The Jack Hotel – said the new legislation had been poorly promoted by the Government.
“There has been plenty of communication to licensees, but messaging to the public has definitely been sub-par,” he said.
“They did make some promise about putting out a large marketing campaign to let patrons know about this – but I’m yet to see or hear anything about it. It could be left up to us on the door to have to explain these things to patrons, which I think is unfair to venues.”
Under the laws, venues must operate the ID scanning system from 10pm onwards.
Mr Lynch said The Jack had begun installing the new system, with staff training to be held this week.
He also said the new system was a far better option that the Government’s long-proposed, and subsequently lockout laws.
But the LNP’s shadow fair trading minister Jarrod Bleijie labelled the rollout of the new ID scanning system “a complete shambles” and called on the Palaszczuk Government to delay its implementation.
“We are days away from Labor’s plan to implement ID scanners across the state, but in true Labor form nothing is ready, things have been done half-baked and the communication with the industry has been non-existent,” he said.
“The hospitality sector is one of the biggest employers of young Queenslanders – but youth unemployment is high and jobs are being destroyed because of Labor’s crusade to destroy our vibrant night-life precincts.”
The office for AttorneyGeneral Yvette D’Ath defended the legislation.
“ID scanners are designed to ensure a person with a banning order can’t enter a licensed venue,” a spokeswoman said. scrapped,