MR HOOLIHAN ASKED THE MINISTER FOR TOURISM AND FAIR TRADING (MR LAWLOR) —
QUESTION:
Will the Minister outline for my constituents the results of the Get Involved Survey on the significant issue of alcohol-related violence?
ANSWER:
The Queensland Government is committed to addressing alcohol-related violence.
Since the release of the Parliamentary Law, Justice and Safety Committee’s final report on alcohol-related violence on 18 March 2010, the Government has been consulting with industry and community stakeholders on the 68 recommendations in the report.
The committee’s final report is available at www.parliament.qld.gov.au.
Over 16,000 Queenslanders responded to the Government’s ‘Get Involved’ survey. A majority of respondents were aged between 18 and 35 years, and it is interesting to note that most responses were received after the survey was listed as a Facebook event.
A brief overview of the responses reveal that:
54% of respondents supported government intervention to make entertainment precincts safer (the rest were undecided or opposed)
80% were opposed to earlier closing times in entertainment precincts
74% were opposed to earlier closing times in suburban venues
66% supported the use of ID scanning and CCTV
76.6% supported increasing police and court powers to ban offenders from specified areas
76.4% supported an increased police presence in entertainment precincts and areas with a concentration of pubs and clubs
97% supported improving the availability of weekend public transport and taxi services.
It is clear from the results that the community, particularly young people, overwhelmingly seek improved security and safety measures. The use of ID scanner and CCTVs, as well as increased police presence in entertainment precincts and banning offenders, were highly supported. Almost all respondents supported improving transport options, but not earlier closing hours and lockouts.
About 6600 respondents left comments in addition to survey responses, which generally reinforce the views held in the survey questions.
We are progressing with the development of the Government’s response to the report, which includes full consideration of stakeholders’ views. A variety of youth forums are proposed for further consultation with young people.
In developing the Government’s response to the final report, we are considering a range of important coordination and implementation issues across a range of government and other services.
Once we have fully consulted with all stakeholders, and finalised our consideration of the report, a comprehensive response to the recommendations will be tabled in Parliament.
The Government intends to continue working closely with industry and the community to implement the Government’s response and any related legislative amendments which will support reducing alcohol-related violence in Queensland.
