The State Government has slashed more red tape for tourism operators, with the introduction of a range of further liquor licensing reforms.

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie said common sense changes made to the Liquor (Red Tape Reduction) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2013 will help small businesses and support one of Queensland’s four key pillars – tourism.  

“Until now, tour operators would have to apply for special licenses for every single one of their vessels or vehicles and require ‘approved managers’ just to serve one or two drinks,” Mr Bleijie said.

“That was costly, complex and unnecessary.“Under these changes, tour operators will be allowed to serve small amounts of alcohol to their guests without requiring a license.“It will be limited to two standard drinks per adult and will be a convenient gesture of hospitality to holiday makers.

“Our reforms will also free Queensland’s restaurants, cafes and small community clubs of burdensome red tape.

“These types of licensed venues will no longer require an approved manager to be on site if they don’t operate past midnight. Licensed vessels will also no longer have this requirement.

Other red tape reduction changes to benefit Queensland businesses are:

• Remove requirement for persons trained in responsible management of licensed venues to also complete RSA training
• Allow payment of liquor licence fees by instalment in circumstances of severe financial hardship
• Remove requirement for licensees to keep responsible service of alcohol (RSA) training registers
• Allow gaming machines to be destroyed without the Commissioner’s written approval
• Reduce the number of prescribed requirements for gaming machine licence application.

“Along with these changes, a total of 44 red tape reductions have been implemented since the Newman Government was elected,” Mr Bleijie said.

“We promised to reduce red tape and regulation by 20 per cent by 2018 and we are well on our way to achieving that goal."