The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) and Office of Fair Trading (OFT) have joined forces with Queensland Police to help make Schoolies Week a safe one on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Yvette D’Ath said “playing by the rules” was essential to keep Schoolies safe during the week, which runs from 16-to-23 November.
“School leavers should be able to celebrate and enjoy themselves at Schoolies without any fear of harm or danger,” Mrs D’Ath said.
“That’s why officers from the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) and Office of Fair Trading (OFT) will be working closely with the Queensland Police to maintain safety in Airlie Beach and on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.”
She said the officers would be on the lookout for underage drinkers and adults supplying alcohol to minors, while also ensuring the compliance of accommodation providers, security officers, and crowd controllers at Schoolies events.
Mrs D’Ath said last year 108 minors at Schoolies received on-the-spot fines for being under 18 and in possession of, or consuming, alcohol in a public place.
“This year, the on-the-spot fine for the minor has increased to $400 and the potential outcome of an adult irresponsibly supplying liquor to a minor in a private place is up to $10,676,” she said.
“Supplying alcohol to minors or your own children this Schoolies is not only illegal, it can also have life-changing consequences through injury or sexual assault.”
Mrs D’Ath said liquor licensees and their staff in Schoolies hot spots should be extra vigilant.
“Compliance officers will be keeping a close eye on licensed venues to ensure staff do not allow underage drinking, and non-exempt minors on licensed premises,” the Minister said.
