TIME TO GET FLEXIBLE QLD

THE road out of the coronavirus pandemic and economic devastation is going to be one that requires nimble and innovative thinking.

Many will scoff at the bar lobby popping up to draw attention to NSW’s Berejiklian Government entertaining loosening up its licensing laws to try and super-charge the night economy by going 24-7.

If it goes down that track, not only will it be a major turnaround for a city which devastated its red-light and late-night party district of Kings Cross with strict new closing times. It will also mark a significant advantage for that state and city over the great state of Queensland and its tourism capital — and yes formerly ‘famous for fun’ but still party capital, the Gold Coast.

At last count, and this was many years ago, the economic contribution of the Surfers Paradise night economy to the city was in excess of $3 billion annually by the time wages, associated bed nights and associated spend were taken into account.

That was the figure before the Labor Government went on the warpath to tackle alcohol-related violence and brought last drinks forward two hours to 3am, banned shots after midnight and made ID scanning compulsory after 10pm.

The latter stiff measure has largely been well received for weeding out the bad eggs and making the party precincts safer.

It is also credited with actually helping those areas such as Surfers and Broadbeach turn a corner with their reputations.

But the bar lobby has a solid point. If NSW loosens up licensing hours and trading, and Queensland and the Gold Coast get left behind, a major part of the magnetism of the Glitter Strip will soften considerably.

LNP MP David Crisafulli coined the phrase “knife fight” when describing the battle looming for inter-state tourists. That it will be and it seems the NSW Government is far more aware of what will be required to gain the advantage than Queensland is right now.