The organisers of a rally protesting a proposed 2am shutdown in Brisbane have reacted with cautious optimism to a set of findings handed down by Queensland Parliament's Law, Justice and Safety Committee today (March 18).

After seven months of research, the inquiry’s recommendations include more funding for police and a higher police presence in the city’s entertainment precincts; harsher penalties for offenders including venue bans for trouble-makers; more taxis and taxi ranks; and better train availability.

However, Queensland Locked Out, who helmed the 600-strong protest at Parliament House last week, said they’re concerned by a recommendation that would see pubs and clubs lose one hour of trading time on weekends and weekdays. Under the proposal, bars within the city’s entertainment precinct would have to shut at 2am on weekdays (Sunday to Thursday) and 4am on weekends, with a 2am lockout enforced. Outside the entertainment precinct, venues would have to shut at 1am on weekdays and 3am on weekends, also with a 2am lockout.

“An hour a night might not seem that much, but that’s not being able to see an artist in another venue because you’ve been locked out at 2am,” said Zach Salar from Queensland Locked Out. “All it’s doing is pulling everything an hour earlier and we’re slowly getting closer to that nanny state.”

It is now up to QLD Premier Anna Bligh to decide whether to implement the recommendations or act on a 2am venue shutdown proposed by the Police Union. Until then, Salar said further protests are in the works.

"It's not over yet. We won't let the actions of the minority ruin our scene and our culture."

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(Photo by Elleni Toumpas)

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