Drinking Games talk
Surfers veteran, MP call for 5am last round
A SURFERS Paradise hospo veteran and MP are urging extended Commonwealth Games trading for bars as a “commonsense no brainer”.
David Allen – who with co-owners the LeGassick brothers – has tranformed beachfront bar O’Malleys and reopened it as One Cavill, said State Government needed to extend 3am last drinks for the Games.
Mr Allen, also manager of newly launched Gilley’s sports and live music bar on Orchid Avenue, said international Games visitors would be used to unlimited trading.
“They will come here and think we are behind the times,” Mr Allen said.
“They’re bragging how it’s going to be twice as busy as Indy used to be for two weeks of the Games. Open it up.”
The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission last week green-lighted 24hour trading for retail during the Games. But no changes have been made to the 3am last drinks rule in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach entertainment precincts despite mounting calls by industry.
LNP MP for Surfers and Games Shadow John-Paul Langbroek said it was a “no brainer” to allow bars and nightclubs to trade until 5am.
To not extend the 3am last drinks rule in the entertainment precinct would damage the tourism reputation.
“It flies in the face of commonsense not to when you have the Games and 24-7 trading for shops being trumpeted by Government.”
He wasn’t concerned about safety as the precinct would be flooded with extra police for the Games.
Games Minister Kate Jones met Mayor Tom Tate and Gold Coast Tourism CEO Martin Winter yesterday to discuss “how we can put our best foot forward at Games time”, she said.
Games bar and restaurant licensing hours would be up for further discussion in the New Year, she said.