Gordon’s shout on lockout Labor using disgraced MP to help it escape liquor law dilemma, claims Langbroek

DEPUTY Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek has accused the Palaszczuk Government of working with disgraced MP Billy Gordon to block “unpopular” 1am lockout reforms.

Mr Langbroek said the Government had “been taking heat” over plans to shut pubs early, and he accused it of using Mr Gordon to kill the reforms to avoid backflipping on an election promise.

“They have refused to back our reforms which will take his vote away and now he (Mr Gordon) has come out in opposition to one of their key election commitments,” Mr Langbroek said.

“(Mr Gordon) has backed Labor all the way since leaving the party so it looks like he is doing this with Labor as well. The liquor reforms were going to be bad for everyone and Labor knows they cannot pass.

“They made the commitment thinking they had no chance of winning the election and now they have to make the logical move and back away.’’

A spokesman for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk described Mr Langbroek’s claim as “desperate rubbish’’.

“The Government committed to introducing laws to protect Queenslanders from alcohol-fuelled violence because one in six Queenslanders have been affected by it,’’ the spokesman said.

“We will not back down. We will see this through and ensure that our nightclub precincts are safe.”

Glitter Strip bar owners are rejoicing at Mr Gordon’s decision to block the proposed legislation to close bars at 3am instead of 5am and ban shots after midnight.

Surfers Paradise Safe Night Out president Michael Fusco said the news would be a relief.

“The current laws are working well,’’ he said.

Mr Langbroek, the Surfers Paradise MP, said Mr Gordon’s decision to block the legislation would ultimately benefit the Gold Coast.

“It is time to bring this state up to modern tourism standards and stop talking about these restrictions on trading times,” he said.

“The Safe Night Out Precincts have been very successful and I challenge Labor to show us that incidents of alcohol-fuelled violence are on the rise.”