LOCK-OUT OUT FOR NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS

The statewide 3am lock-out will be lifted for New Year celebrations, Liquor Licensing Minister Margaret Keech announced today.

“On New Year’s Eve, all licensees are permitted to trade until 2am as of right. This applies regardless of the usual approved trading hours,” Mrs Keech said.

“Licensees who wish to trade beyond 2am and do not already have an approved extended hours permit must have an approved one-off extended hours permit.

“Under usual conditions, the 3am lock-out would apply to all late-trading licensed premises in Queensland with extended hours permits. This allows them to continue trading until 5am but prohibits the entry or re-entry of patrons to the premises after 3am.

“However, under the Liquor Act, premises with extended hours permits trading on New Year's Eve are exempt from the lock-out.

“The exemption was granted under the Liquor Act to cater for the sheer volume of people who celebrate New Year’s Eve in licensed premises and to continue to allow the movement of patrons between premises throughout the night.

“All other late trading licence conditions, such as crowd control ratios and closed circuit television, must be adhered to.”

Mrs Keech said licensees should familiarise themselves with Christmas trading hours.

“On Christmas Eve, trading must finish at 12 midnight, regardless of whether your permit allows later trading at other times,” she said.

“This means that the bar must finish serving at 12 midnight and patrons must leave the premises by 12.30am.

“Licensees with on-premise (cabaret) licences (nightclubs) are allowed to trade until 3am Christmas morning and patrons must finish drinks and leave the premises by 3.30am.

“Bottleshops and adult entertainment venues are to remain closed on Christmas Day.

“On Christmas Day, licensees may only serve alcohol to patrons eating a meal in the dining area of the premises between 10am and 12 midnight.

“On Boxing Day, usual trading hours and conditions resume.”

Media contacts: Kylie Hickling 3247 5963 or David Smith 3225 1005