Brisbane live venue and club, The Zoo, has effectively told the Queensland Labor government to bash the ID scanners up their crackdown.
The indefatiguable venue, celebrating 26 years in 2018, has slammed the scanners as "inefficient, inaccurate, expensive and useless". In a statement The Zoo went on say, "they put unnecessary strain on small businesses, Brisbane's nightlife and live music venues.
And in relation to the claims of being inefficient and useless they may have a point. Last week Channel 9 aired a story where Gold Coast man Caleb Maraku king hit a man in Surfers Paradise, received a conviction and yet he is not on the scanner banned list, and so is free to walk into any venue without detection.
The Zoo statement reads in full:
It is with much thought and consideration that we have made the choice to say bye-bye to those inefficient, inaccurate, expensive (useless) scanners - They put unnecessary strain on small businesses, Brisbane's nightlife and live music venues.
Since the implementation of the new liquor licencing laws, hands of small businesses have been tied & with this decision comes our reduced trading hours to a 12am close, that in itself brings its own challenges for an independently owned business like The Zoo.
We take safety VERY seriously and over the past 25 years without scanners we've had no serious issues so we will continue this trend moving forward.
We urge you to come out and support live music, come early to gigs - support the supports - the industry is relying on you to survive and keep the music alive.
Please note: you will still need to show ya mug on appropriate ID and act with care and consideration upon entry to the venue. LONG LIVE LIVE MUSIC!
