Fair Trading swoops on Gold Coast security providers

The Office of Fair Trading has mounted a blitz on security providers and crowd controllers at Gold Coast hotels and clubs.

“Five teams of inspectors checked 43 licensed premises on the Gold Coast on 15 June 2007,” Fair Trading Minister Margaret Keech said.

“Inspectors made spot checks on 147 security providers to make sure they were complying with the law.

“During the operation 36 offences were detected, including failing to produce a licence on request and failing to notify change of address details.

“The licensees will be issued with infringement notices for $150 for each offence.”

Operation Norton was a joint operation between the Office of Fair Trading and Liquor Licensing, with assistance from the Queensland Police Service.

The venues checked as part of the blitz were at Surfers Paradise, Southport, Coolangatta, Miami, Burleigh, Palm Beach, Benowa, Ashmore, Nerang, Parkwood and other locations in the Gold Coast hinterland.

“The operation was held in the lead up to tough new laws governing security providers throughout Queensland, which came into effect on 1 July,” Mrs Keech said.

“Under changes to the Security Providers Act 1993, individuals operating without a security licence will be fined up to $75,000 and businesses up to $937,500 respectively. Individual repeat offenders may face jail.

“The new penalties are five times greater than existing penalties, and they will help us clean up the industry.

“As the new laws are implemented, we will conduct more spot checks across the state to make sure security providers and licensed venues comply with the law.

“We want everyone in the security industry to get the message – play by the rules or we will hit you in the hip pocket.

“Later this year we will be rolling out probity checks as part of the reform”

“Next year we will introduce licences in previously unregulated sectors of the industry such as security equipment installers, electronic surveyors, dog handlers, in-house security guards and security advisors.

“The laws will also require licensees to undertake on-going training, to make sure they update their skills so they can cope with any issues safely and effectively.

“We will have the strictest laws in the country as we are serious about protecting the community and the industry’s reputation.”

For more information on the new laws, visit the Office of Fair Trading website at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au

Media contacts:

Minister Keech's Office: Jo Whitaker 3224 2005

Office of Fair Trading: Jane Dargaville 3119 0071