Queensland's looming lockouts at pubs and clubs are "draconian" and will hurt venues that were willing to accept reduced trading hours rather than shut patrons out, a lobby group says.
The contentious laws, which include a 1am statewide lockout, will get over the line after the minority Labor government agreed to a raft of Katter party demands.
But Our Nightlife Queensland says all expert evidence pointed to reduced trading hours - not lockouts - being the main driver of crime reduction.
"The industry was ready and willing to accept reduced trading hours, but the lockout itself is a bad policy," secretary Nick Braban said on Wednesday.
"Jobs are going to be lost, businesses will close, musicians will struggle for gigs, youth unemployment will skyrocket."
Mr Braban said the effects of lockouts in Sydney had been plain to see and accused the Queensland government and Katter Party MPs of protecting big business, particularly casinos.
"The 1am lockout drives people into larger venues ... because they know they will stay open later," he said.
A statewide 2am last-drinks call will be imposed from July 1, with venues in nightclub precincts still able to serve drinks until 3am.
However, the 1am lockout won't be imposed now until February 1 next year.
Mr Braban said their only hope for smaller venues was that the government would conduct more consultation before the lockouts came into effect.
Our Nightlife Queensland represents about 80 night venues from Coolangatta to Cairns.
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