Queensland’s contentious lockout laws have been passed by the state’s parliament early on Thursday morning (AEDT). 

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk struck a deal with two of Bob Katter’s crossbench MPs in order to gain the votes she needed to force clubs and pubs to close earlier.

Under the laws, from July 1 there will be a 2am last drinks call for pubs and clubs outside entertainment precincts in Queensland, while 1am lockouts for “nightclub areas” will be delayed until February 2017.

Last drinks at 3am will be enforced at nightclubs from July 1.

Ms Palaszczuk, Katter Australia Party (KAP) Member for Mount Isa, Robbie Katter and KAP Member for Dalrymple, Shane Knuth, agreed to a series of measures which they claimed would “improve employment, health and safety”.

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“These are important issues for Queenslanders. We are committed to curbing alcohol-fuelled violence, but we are also committed to increasing employment and devoting more resources to mental health,” Ms Palaszczuk said in a statement. 

Premier Palasczuk insists the lockout will prevent violence. Photo: AAP

Mr Katter said: “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 and Mr Knuth agreed to support the Tackling Alcohol-Fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 based on concessions the KAP and QLD Labor agreed upon.

These included trading hour restrictions on licensed venues be implemented in stages, an independent review of the laws in 2018 and the banning of drug offenders from certain areas in night time precincts.

Shots and other “rapid consumption drinks” will be banned after midnight.

The two KAP members also secured concessions for their electorates in areas of unemployment, investment and rural mental health, for agreeing to the laws.

Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath opened the debate on Wednesday afternoon by paying tribute to those who inspired the law change.

“I stand here today to honour those who have lost their lives, those who have endured serious injury through alcohol-fuelled violence,” Ms D’Ath said.

Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker countered by saying the government could not rely solely on emotion to promote its laws, arguing there wasn’t enough evidence to indicate they would reduce rates of violence.

Lobby group Out Nightlife Queensland labelled the laws “draconian”, saying they will cost jobs and business.

Similar laws in New South Wales have been met by fierce opposition from the community, but government and emergency services have lauded their implementation.

– with AAP