KEECH ANSWERS CRAWL SOS

Liquor Licensing Minister Margaret Keech has pledged her support to put Maryborough back in the Guinness Book of Records.

Mrs Keech said today the Liquor Licensing Division would work closely with organisers to ensure the smooth running of what organisers plan to make the ‘World’s Greatest Pub Crawl’.

“This is a very popular community event and has great potential to draw even more visitors to the city,” she said.

“The Beattie Government supports community events, particularly those which contribute so much to regional economies, and we will work closely with organisers in the lead-up to next year’s event.

“But ensuring public safety has to remain a priority for the Liquor Licensing Division.

“We cannot have disorderly behaviour, drunkenness, patron and community safety issues.

“We all know that excessive alcohol consumption leads to problems – even tragedy.”

Compliance activity by liquor inspectors during this year’s crawl drew adverse comment about alleged heavy-handedness.

“I believed our local officers could have worked more closely with event organisers, as we have done in other centres with community events,” Mrs Keech said.

“My department recently issued new guidelines in relation to community events, including a protocol for assisting community groups to develop event management plans.”

Mrs Keech said criticism in the past had centred around some organisers not being aware of their obligations under the Liquor Act, and of the Liquor Licensing Division imposing fines for breaches of the Act.

“As a Government, we have a responsibility to ensure as much as possible the safety of Queenslanders,” she said.

“We want to minimise the risk – that’s why we have a Liquor Act and obligations for anyone selling alcohol.

“But that’s not to say we can’t work more closely to ensure events run as smoothly as possible.

“I am confident this can happen, and we can play a role in ensuring community events such as the Maryborough Pub Crawl can continue to be a success.

“Such an event can be run responsibly – and that’s what we will be aiming to help organisers achieve next year.

“But we will take appropriate action if we become aware of serious breaches of the Act.”

Media contact: David Smith 3225 1005 / 0409 496 534