Business Studies Paper on Queensland Lockouts
Introduction
In many countries, legislative organs are given the powers to regulate business activities. They have a responsibility of ensuring that businesses are run smoothly to ensure economic prosperity. Most importantly, the new laws are supposed to favour the interests of all stakeholders. This requires consultations between the government and business owners to identify the shortcomings and strengths of the intended policies. Adhering to consultations among parties, helps to curb crisis which may affect the economic development in a country. For instance, the government of Queensland has been implementing laws that intend to reduce the hours of drinking alcohol in Hotels and Clubs (Giancaspro 24). Therefore, this paper emphases on Queensland Hotels Association effort to avert the new laws that might affect the industry.
Background of organisation
This organisation is responsible for steering the interests of Hotels and Clubs in Queensland. They are tasked to bargain for their interest when the government laws tend not to favour their business operations (Young 16). The organization’s aim is to ensure that business activities are not interrupted by legislative policies that may lead their businesses into losses or even reduce their profits.
The problem
The government of Queensland on 1st, July 2016 reduced the hours of liquor service to 2am throughout the country. Further the government is said to have plans to introduce lockouts by 1am come next year February. These plans will have severe impacts on the liquor industry which is the leading contributor to the country’s economic growth.
Developments to date
The government argues that the said lockouts will reduce the level of crime countrywide. It states that over the recent past, the level of crime had increased since hotels and clubs were allowed to sell alcoholic drinks till late (Kypri, McElduff and Miller 321). Therefore, the legislative body say that by regulating the hours of selling alcoholic drinks will enhance the security. Though, the Queensland Hotel Associations argues that the lockouts will affect their businesses. They argue that reducing the number of hours of liquor service is not a solution to the security issue.
Proposed solution
Perhaps, the government should play a role in curbing crime through increased policing in major towns. Also, it is evident that most crimes happen during the day. Therefore, reducing the number of hours as proposed is misplaced interest which will affect the economic growth (Palk, Dave and Freeman 7-8). The government should be in support of a 24 hour economy. Thus, regulating the number of hours for the liquor service industry is unfair given that it is the backbone of the country’s economy (Miller 370). Therefore, the government should ensure the security of their citizens by improving security intelligence so as to curb crime levels.
Evidence in support of proposed solution
Before implementing these laws, the government should involve the relevant stakeholders. For instance, they can seek advice from the business representatives to establish whether policies are effective (Giancaspro 118). In the case of the mentioned lockouts, the Queensland government should have listened to the interests of liquor service industry through consultative meetings.
Counter-arguments and responses
To some extent, the lockouts are geared at promoting the best interests of the businesses. For instance, if the liquor service industry was left to operate all day and night, the economy will face a lot of challenges (Roche and Steenson 10). For instance, there can be no productive workforce to spark economic growth as many people will dedicate most of their time drinking (Rollins 5). Therefore, it is good for the businesses to evaluate the positive aspects of the policies.
Conclusion
It is evident that the Queensland Liquor Service industry will be faced with laws which aim to reduce drinking hours to midnight. The said laws are efforts by the government to reduce the levels of crime. On the other hand, the business community is against these laws since they will affect their profitability.
Works Cited
Giancaspro, Mark. “Do lockout laws curb alcohol related violence?” Bulletin (Law Society of South Australia) 38.3 (2016): 24.
Giancaspro, Mark. “Late night lockout laws: Evaluating responses to alcohol-fuelled violence.” Alternative LJ 40 (2015): 118.
Kypri, Kypros, Patrick McElduff, and Peter Miller. “Restrictions in pub closing times and lockouts in Newcastle, Australia five years on.” Drug and Alcohol Review 33.3 (2014): 323-326.
Miller, Peter, et al. “The long‐term effect of lockouts on alcohol‐related emergency department attendances within Ballarat, Australia.” Drug and alcohol review 31.4 (2012): 370-376.
Palk, Gavan RM, Jeremy D. Davey, and James E. Freeman. “The impact of a lockout policy on levels of alcohol‐related incidents in and around licensed premises.” Police Practice and Research: An International Journal 11.1 (2010): 5-15.
Roche, Ann, and Tania Steenson. “LIQUOR LICENSING LEGISLATION IN AUSTRALIA.” alcohol 7: 9-11.
Rollins, Adrian. “Nation’s drinking binge needs to end: AMA.” Australian Medicine 26.2 (2014): 5.
Young, Tom. “Night shift.” Proctor, The 36.3 (2016): 16.