Trevor Evans (Brisbane, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to discuss the damaging effects of the Queensland Labor government's lockout laws on locals and businesses in Brisbane. Blanket bans are one of the more blunt and clunky policy tools available to policymakers. Calls for blanket bans, while usually motivated by good intentions, are too often knee-jerk responses, and they can have significant side-effects or unintended consequences. Usually, there are better and more sophisticated policy responses available—sometimes using data, sometimes using technology and often, hopefully, allowing us to avoid punishing the majority for the sins of a few.

Labor's lockout laws came into partial effect on 1 July—the night before the federal election. I believe the issue was a significant factor in the election result in Brisbane, where the Labor Party recorded its worst result since Federation. I am also aware that the issue motivated many hospitality workers, bar owners, musicians and night-life patrons to actively campaign against Labor.

The most stringent rules in Queensland's lockout laws are yet to take effect. They will begin by February. The cost to the Queensland economy is estimated to be about $150 million per year, which I note—with some irony—is in the ballpark of holding a national plebiscite.

Russell Broadbent (McMillan, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! A division has been called in the House, so I will put the question.

Question agreed to.

Federation Chamber adjourned at 13:00