State to fund ‘night-life commissioner’ role

Queensland will have its own dedicated night-life commissioner in a bid to revitalise the state’s 24-hour economy and struggling live entertainment scene.

The new role was announced by Premier Steven Miles on Monday – just a day ahead of the 2024 state budget being handed down.

Mr Miles said the new night-life economy commissioner, which will be supported with funding from the budget, would work with local businesses, live music venues and entertainment precincts to “create a vibrant and safe night-life environment”.

“Our night-time economy helps generate millions each year and supports jobs across the state, in small business, arts, entertainment, tourism and more,” Mr Miles said.

“Queensland is already home to some of the best bars, restaurants, and live entertainment venues in the country and creating this role will only make it better.

“A thriving and safe night-time economy means a thriving city – one that keeps our young and brightest in good jobs, delivering for Queensland.”

Brisbane’s night-life will be the main focus of the commissioner’s new role but Mr Miles said the role was designed to bring change and “economic growth” to all communities – “whether that’s supporting a local pub in Toowoomba, a music festival in Cairns, or night-life spots on the Sunshine Coast”.

The commissioner will work with industry figures to support, promote and advocate for key aspects of the night-life economy.

It is understood this could include reviewing the use of ID scanners across the city, along with lockout laws for licensed venues.

In 2017, the State Government abandoned proposed changes to the laws which would have enforced lockouts from 1am in licensed venues.

The government is also reviewing its safe night precinct initiative – a program aiming to drug and alcohol-related violence in the night-life.

CBDs in Brisbane, Cairns, Broadbeach, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Ipswich, Mackay, Rockhampton, Surfers Paradise, Toowoomba and Townsville are all part of the safe night

precinct initiative, along with Airlie Beach, Fortitude Valley and Caloundra, Maroochydore and Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast.

Queensland’s Small Business Minister Lance McCallum said he did not want to see a repeat of restrictive laws introduced in Sydney by the NSW Liberal Party to combat alcohol-fuelled violence, which he claimed “choked their night-time economy beyond repair”.

“Queensland’s night-life economy has always outdone itself on the national and international stage; boasting iconic live music venues, theatres, arts, entertainment, festivals, hospitality, night life and tourist activities that make our cities vibrant cultural hubs and economic powerhouses,” he said.

Sydney’s notorious lockout laws were sparked after the horrific one-punch death of Thomas Kelly in 2012.

The legislation effectively mandated a 1:30am lockout time, 3am deadline for last drinks for bars and clubs and 10am closing time for bottle shops.

In 2019 an inquiry into the scheme was told there had been a 7.1 per cent reduction in the economy and a “potential opportunity cost” of over 2,000 jobs and $1.4bn in lost turnover.