Government gets tough on bouncers

Thirty-five Queensland security providers have been issued with Notices to Show Cause why their licence should not be suspended after newly introduced nightly police database checks found they had been charged with serious offences.

Premier Anna Bligh and Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said 35 security providers had been challenged to show why their licenses should not be suspended.

Eight security providers have been issued with show cause notices in Brisbane, nine in Southport, six in Townsville, three in Cairns and Sunshine Coast, two each in Mackay and Rockhampton and one each in the Toowoomba and Wide Bay region.

“The SCRAM system, short for Suitability, Checking, Reporting and Monitoring, checks the state’s 24,000 licensed security providers against Queensland Police Service (QPS) records each night,” Ms Bligh said.

Mr Shine said that the checks will show whether any licensed security providers have been charged or convicted of a disqualifying offence.

“Disqualifying offences include assault, sexual assault, fraud, murder, stealing and drug offences.

“Security providers who are charged with a disqualifying offence face suspension pending the outcome of the charges.”

Mr Shine said the new checks ensured the Department of Justice and Attorney-General received daily updates whenever a security provider’s suitability to hold a licence was in question.

“Where there are grounds for concern over a person’s suitability to operate in the industry, the Department calls on them to show cause why their licence should not be suspended,” Mr Shine said.

“This overnight check means the Department will be alerted quickly when a licence holder is charged or convicted.

“On its first night of operation, SCRAM detected a crowd controller working in the industry who had been charged with a serious offence.

“Another thirty-four security providers have been detected since then.”

Mr Shine said the daily check would help ensure only suitable people held a security providers licence in Queensland.

“Security providers need to be responsible and professional people,” Mr Shine said.

“Most are professional and often play an important role in maintaining the peace.

“These checks were introduced to improve public safety by making sure only appropriate people are operating within the security industry.”

Mr Shine said since 1 July 2008, the Department of Justice and Attorney-General had refused 142 applications for security licences.

Seventeen security licences had been cancelled and 12 people suspended because of adverse criminal histories.

Media contact: Chris Taylor, 0419 710 874