LNP vows to iron out ID scanning loophole

THE State Opposition party says it would close a “farcical” loophole of the Labor Government’s “botched” nightclub ID scanning regime.

Nightspots staying open past midnight must scan patron IDs from 10pm or face hefty fines. Venues not staying open after midnight do not have to scan, meaning some bars near each other are scanning and others are not.

Member for Surfers Paradise John-Paul Langbroek said an LNP Government would push the start of scanning back to midnight.

It would close a “dangerous” loophole allowing those scanned and banned to go to a nearby club that’s not required to scan because it closes at midnight, he said.

He added he knew of occasions this had occurred.

“Presumably if this person’s been refused entry from one club for posing a safety risk, he or she shouldn’t be allowed to simply stroll across the road and drink there.”

Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said: “The Palaszczuk Government bases policies on evidence, which is why we will have a comprehensive review of these laws next year.

“We are stopping people on banning orders from entering licensed venues, the LNP want to wave them in,” she said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Labor Government introduced compulsory scanning on July 1, aimed at weeding out patrons with court or police ordered bar bans.