After my successful re-election campaign, I will return for a fourth term as the Member for Southport. Along with this important role I have been appointed as the new Minister of Tourism and Fair Trading. This position also includes the Racing and Liquor Licensing portfolios.

During my time as Minister I will be visiting tourism icons all over Queensland and this page will keep track of my work. I encourage everyone to follow my travels as the Minister by reading below my entries into the Minister's Diary where I will write about my latest experiences.

Peter Lawlor.

It’s a case of glass half full as licensees switch to alternatives
Posted by editor (editor) on Jan 20 2010
Ministerial Diary >>

Acting Premier Andrew Frasier and ALH Queensland State Manager Trevor Smith joined me today at the Hamilton Hotel to discuss the feedback received from patrons on the transition to tempered glass. Queensland licensees who have made the switch to regular glass alternatives have experienced a smooth transition, with patrons appearing not to notice the difference. This is great news as I eagerly await the results from the Parliament Inquiry into alcohol-fuelled violence.

Queensland’s largest operator, ALH, was one of the first to make the move and now has 25 per cent of its 110 licensed premises in Queensland using tempered glass. There were fears about glass alternatives - be it tempered glass or polycarbonate plastic - that the enjoyment of drinking alcohol will be lessened. However feedback from licensees reveals this is far from true, with many patrons not noticing the difference. Hotels that have already made the switch are still seeing the same number of customers walk through their doors unconcerned by the way their drinking glass looks or feels. I applaud licensees who have made the proactive and voluntary switch to regular glass alternatives for taking a serious approach to patron safety. ALH in particular is leading the way in the industry and I congratulate them on the steps they have taken already.

I encourage licensees and patrons to continue to contact the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) to provide feedback, whether positive or negative, on their experience with using tempered glass or polycarbonate. The Bligh government introduced this initiative to boost community safety at licensed premises and every bit of feedback helps us to improve this.

Last changed: Jan 20 2010 at 4:44 PM