Interested people in Bundaberg and the Burnett are invited to provide input into the future of the state’s liquor and gaming laws, with the release of a discussion paper today.
The liquor and gaming expert panel has raised a number of topics, which have been included in the discussion paper.
The panel, which was made up of representatives from the community, government and industry, had agreed these topics are central to the future of liquor and gaming.
The industry made it clear at last year’s DestinationQ forum, that new initiatives were needed which would help get the economy back on track and also rebuild Queensland tourism.
The tourism industry has been held back by Labor’s obsession with red tape and regulation, burning time and money for no real benefit, and one of our goals is to reduce that burden.
The items in the paper are not government policy; this is an opportunity for the Government to obtain feedback from the public.
The Newman Government is about giving communities a voice on the issues that affect them and the paper also promotes a greater role for local governments in decision making processes.
The Government will also introduce measures to remove unnecessary regulation for schools and community groups, which would be announced shortly.
We have found that the mum and dad café and restaurants, as well as schools and community groups are also bearing the brunt of red tape and regulation.
Soon we will be announcing further red tape reduction initiatives that will further ease the burden on these groups, saving time and money.
As I travel around and speak to constituents about liquor law regulation, I am continually asked to simplify processes and take a common sense approach.
Under the direction of the chair, Geoff Harley, the panel has already done some great work and the release of the discussion paper is the next step in the process.
This is about identifying ways to ease the cost burden on our pubs and clubs, while also maintaining a high level of accountability within the industry.
The paper is available at www.olgr.qld.gov.au until 15 March 2013.