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Qld lockout debate begins in parliament

A debate on Queensland's lockout laws, which will be passed this week, has commenced in state parliament.

protest against the Queensland Government's proposed lockout laws.
File photo. Source: AAP

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Source: AAP


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A debate on the Queensland government's contentious lockout laws has begun in state parliament.

The laws, which reduce trading hours in the state's pubs and clubs, will be passed either on Wednesday or Thursday after the minority government secured the support of Katter's Australian Party by offering a raft of concessions and amendments.

"I stand here today to honour those who have lost their lives, those who have endured serious injury through alcohol-fuelled violence," Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath told parliament at the start of the debate on Wednesday.

"(And) their families, their friends, their work colleagues who will never be the same because of these violent incidents related to alcohol."

Despite previously refusing to amend the legislation, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Wednesday morning announced she had been able to secure a last-minute agreement with KAP MPs Rob Katter and Shane Knuth.

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"My government's laws will pass through the parliament of Queensland," Ms Palaszczuk said.

The government has agreed to look at unemployment issues and investment opportunities in the KAP MPs' electorates and prioritise mental health funding in the next budget, due in June.

The laws will also be amended, allowing for drug offenders to be banned from nightclub precincts and for a phase-in period for trading hours to be added.

A statewide 2am last drinks call will still be imposed from July 1, with venues in nightclub precincts able to serve drinks until 3am.

But a 1am lockout meant to combine with the 3am last drinks call for nightclub precincts won't be imposed now until February 1 next year.

There will also be a review of the laws in 2018.

Ms Palaszczuk said she wasn't disappointed the government had to compromise.

"The laws are still intact, it's just a delay," she said.

The premier said the agreement, which came after extensive consultation, had only been reached on Wednesday morning.

Mt Isa-based Mr Katter said KAP needed to use its leverage to push issues important to rural Queensland, particularly a 15 per cent unemployment rate in his electorate.

"Alcohol-fuelled violence is an important social policy for the government, and the impact of unemployment and the economic downturn are important social policy issues for us," Mr Katter said.

The premier will be breathing a sigh of relief after Independent MP Billy Gordon, her only other option for support, earlier this week reaffirmed he was against the laws.

If they had failed, it would have been the first time since taking office the minority government wasn't able to get one of its bills through.


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