RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS - Queensland Parliament ...

22 May 2013
Liquor and Gaming (Red Tape Reduction) and Other Legislation
Amendment Bill
1691
Mr Krause: What about the Marburg Show?
Mr CHOAT: Yes, of course, member for Beaudesert, I do acknowledge the Marburg Show. I
was there a couple of weeks ago. The Ipswich Show is just as terrific as the Marburg Show, as is the
Lowood Show and the Rosewood Show.
Mrs Frecklington: What about the Esk Show?
Mr CHOAT: That is a little bit out of my electorate, member for Nanango, but I am sure it will be
terrific this weekend. I cannot let the opportunity pass by without giving a plug for the Ipswich and
District Poultry Club and the Ipswich Pigeon Specialist Club, which held terrific displays and exhibits
at the show and whose members work tirelessly to make sure that the public enjoy viewing some very
fine specimens of poultry and pigeons at every show. I was very proud to have put my rare bourbon
red turkeys on display at the show. From the feedback; visitors very much enjoyed their antics. I do
not believe they understood it was a G-rated show and not an X-rated show. But certainly they were
greatly enjoyed. Even though they are bourbon red turkeys, I hope there will be no amendments that
will require me to register those turkeys for a permit or liquor licence because of their name.
The amendments put forward today by the Attorney will importantly extend exemptions from
permits for the types of smaller country shows that I have just mentioned. I know there are many
communities across our great state that will both appreciate and benefit from these amendments.
Fundraising is a core function of many of our volunteers who work so hard for our clubs. Raising
much needed funds is tough. I doubt there will have been a time in recent history when it was as
tough as it has been of late.
One of the most important aspects of this bill, I believe, is to amend the Liquor Act 1992 to
exempt low-risk community organisations from requiring community liquor permits for not-for-profit
events. This bill represents an opportunity for our local clubs, associations, church groups and P&Cs
in particular. One of its main objectives is to minimise the regulatory burden on them when conducting
fundraising events such as sausage sizzles, school fetes and trivia nights. These not-for-profit groups
would otherwise be required to apply for a permit and pay the application fee of $57. This cost
represents a significant drain on the success of such endeavours, not to mention the stress and
hassle associated with making the application itself. Thanks to this LNP government that will now no
longer be the case. I do want to dwell on that hassle that I referred to because a lot of people who
would normally be having to make such applications during the course of their voluntary work for their
not-for-profit organisation also have commitments to business, family and the community in general.
This will certainly be something that they will really appreciate and value.
As we heard from the Attorney-General earlier this evening, during the 2012 calendar year
alone almost 7,000 community liquor permits were applied for and not one was rejected. Only nine
permit applications have been rejected since 2009. With these numbers one would have to ask why
the previous Labor government held in such contempt the community groups wanting to have events
serving alcohol. I note the presence of my family up in the gallery—my wife, Nicky, and children,
Charlotte, Benjamin and our little Eloise, who is celebrating her second birthday today. Happy
birthday, Weezy. Try to be quiet for a little bit longer.
The point I want to make is that this LNP government believes in our great community groups.
We trust them. The Attorney-General made this point. We know they always do their best to serve
and protect our community. But it is no silly requirement for a permit which keeps them this way; it is
their integrity and sense of community. The previous Deputy Speaker in the chair would have to
forgive my energetic interjection when the Leader of the Opposition was speaking because, as I was
talking to the member for Mount Ommaney, one would be forgiven for thinking that the people she
was referring to at our country shows all have front teeth missing and shirts hanging out, running
around like yokels with cans of VB. It is not the case. It proves to me that it is most likely that the
Leader of the Opposition has not visited a country show. The standard of behaviour at our country
shows is of the highest calibre because the community would simply not accept any sort of nonsense.
I really did take exception to that. I apologise to the previous Deputy Speaker for that.
I know that there are many community groups that would like to host an event where they can
serve alcohol. As I mentioned, the complexity of having to apply for a permit and the fear of what
might be involved holds them back. This bill will provide a level playing field whereby these groups will
be able to host events and functions where they will have an even better chance to raise funds for