Liquor (Rural Hotels Concession) Amendment Bill 2018

Introduced the bill to reduce liquor licensing fees for remote pubs from $3,700 to $370, recognising their unique role as community hubs rather than purely commercial operations.

“In small towns the pub is often the only business. If people are going into town and they need some cash or need to make a phone call because their phone is out of service, there is often only one business in the town and that is the pub.”— 2019-02-26View Hansard

As Attorney-General, supported the bill and moved government amendments to extend concessions to small community clubs with 2,000 members or fewer, and to clarify the fee applies only to the base licence fee.

“The government supports the intent of the bill to introduce a licence fee concession to licensees in very remote Queensland who provide vital services and social support to their communities.”— 2019-02-26View Hansard

Supported the bill, emphasising that pubs are the social fabric of rural communities and noting some remote pubs earn as little as $16,000 gross per year while paying the same $3,700 licence fee as pubs earning $30 million.

“We have seen in rural and regional Queensland the closure of railway stations, courthouses and pubs, which are the social fabric of those communities. Pubs are a place where people enjoy social interaction. They are a meeting place.”— 2019-02-26View Hansard

As committee chair, recommended the bill be passed, noting it was timely given recent floods and bushfires in regional Queensland and the Year of Outback Tourism.

“The recent floods and bushfires in regional Queensland and North Queensland make this a timely piece of legislation. Whilst I acknowledge that this passing of the legislation will not undo the devastation of the floods and fires, I hope it is some recognition that remote Queensland has not been forgotten.”— 2019-02-26View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill, highlighting that country pubs play a central role as meeting places for celebrations, weddings and wakes, and face high fixed costs including electricity from Ergon.

“In some cases the country pub is the town's main centre. When I say that many people think of the iconic Birdsville Hotel in the seat of Gregory. Of course, it is not the only one in that position.”— 2019-02-26View Hansard

Supported the bill as a matter of fairness, recognising that remote hotels play multifaceted community roles beyond just serving alcohol, and that one-size-fits-all licensing is not fair for very remote Queensland.

“A liquor licensing structure whereby a hotel which supports a local population of 75 or even less is required to pay the same licence fee as an urban hotel that has 75 walks-in per hour is not a fair one, and that is what is at the heart of this bill.”— 2019-02-26View Hansard

Supported the bill to protect rural pubs as traditional meeting points that are part of Queensland's national identity, noting venues like the Walkabout Creek Hotel from Crocodile Dundee would benefit.

“Rural pubs have been the backbone of Queensland for over a century. They are places where not only social lubricant is sold but people can withdraw to a central location for a chinwag about business, job prospects and life.”— 2019-02-26View Hansard

Supported the bill while endorsing government amendments to ensure risk criterion fees remain in full and to extend concessions to small community clubs.

“Regardless of location, it is sensible that risk criterion fees remain as they are, to be paid in full, to ensure not only that licensees effectively address all risks in their venues but also that demands on the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation are effectively compensated for.”— 2019-02-26View Hansard

Supported the bill and moved amendments to extend concessions to drought-declared areas. Recounted visiting remote pubs and finding that Yaraka's pub with a catchment of 120 people pays the same as the Breakfast Creek Hotel with a catchment of two million.

“It was there that I realised that they pay the same licence fee for a catchment of 120 people as the Breakfast Creek Hotel pays in Brisbane, with a catchment north of two million people.”— 2019-02-26View Hansard

As a committee member, commended the bill and thanked witnesses who travelled long distances to provide evidence, noting remote pubs perform many unpaid services from post office functions to tourism information.

“Many operators of these pubs see their role not just as small business people but also as providing a vital community service in their community. They are proud of that.”— 2019-02-26View Hansard

As Minister for Racing, supported the bill and praised the collaborative approach between the member for Traeger and the Attorney-General, noting how hotels support community events including race days.

“Unlike the situation, say, in a previous parliament where we had a minority government, a majority government can listen to sensible proposals and look at how they can be improved to deliver outcomes and benefits for the people of Queensland.”— 2019-02-26View Hansard

Supported the bill but argued it does not go far enough, advocating for extension to drought-declared areas to help struggling pubs in his electorate that pay up to $6,000 annually in fees.

“If the pub in Toobeah, or Maryvale, or Talwood, or Cecil Plains is lost, the community is one step closer to leaving.”— 2019-02-26View Hansard

Supported the bill as a matter of fairness, noting that country pubs are the heart of their communities and serve as meeting places, counselling services, and essential tourist attractions.

“The amount of $3,757 might not seem a big deal for an operator of a hotel in Brisbane, but it is for a hotel operator in Boulia.”— 2019-02-26View Hansard

Supported the bill but noted it creates an arbitrary line where pubs in Mitchell receive the concession but those 147 kilometres away in Yuleba do not, despite facing similar drought conditions.

“The only difference in circumstances affecting the pubs in Mitchell or Yuleba, Cunnamulla or Surat is a line on the map from the ABS categorisation.”— 2019-02-26View Hansard

Supported the bill, reflecting on the central role country pubs have played in community life and lamenting the loss of pubs like Bouldercombe and Bajool in his area.

“I have lost Bouldercombe. There was 90 years of having a coldie at the Bouldie. We cannot have one anymore. We have lost Bajool pub. Pubs are going down the chute everywhere.”— 2019-02-26View Hansard

Supported the bill while noting that hotels in drought-declared areas like Lockyer and Somerset would also benefit from decreased fees.

“The committee recognises the integral place that a hotel can hold in a very remote community. The hotel is a place where locals and tourists enjoy a meal, a drink or meet with friends.”— 2019-02-26View Hansard

Supported the bill, emphasising that rural pubs are the heart of their communities and serve as gathering places during crises like the recent North-West Queensland floods.

“If one looks at the recent disaster that has unfolded, in particular in North-West Queensland, all the vision on the TV was of those affected graziers meeting at the local pub. That became the place where they all mustered.”— 2019-02-26View Hansard

Briefly declared support for country pubs, clubs and the bill.

“I support country pubs. I support country clubs. I support the bill. Well done!”— 2019-02-26View Hansard