A Caxton Street pub owner is pleading with authorities to relax ID scanning rules for the third State of Origin match in Brisbane next month.
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The Caxton Hotel director Ross Farquhar has written to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Deputy Premier Jackie Trad, Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath and Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace asking for their help, arguing long lines outside venues were a safety risk.
"I write to you somewhat disappointed and frustrated at the continuous refusal we receive from the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation regarding a relaxation of ID scanning times for State of Origin 3 and the two Rugby Tests test matches," Mr Farquhar wrote.
Mr Farquhar said a relaxation was granted to Caxton Street venues during Origin last year without any problems.
"Indeed, it facilitated a very orderly egress of Caxton Street after that great game," he said.
"These are international and world-class events where many visitors to Brisbane are not aware of our particular licensing arrangements. Problems do occur.
"I hope a nasty event does not have to happen for action to be taken."
Since July 1, 2017, bars in Safe Night Precincts which trade after midnight have to scan patrons' IDs from 10pm, in a move designed to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence.
However, ID scanning was allowed to begin at 11pm instead of 10pm during last year's State of Origin game three.
Venues can also apply for six extended hour permits per year to trade until 5am.
Mr Farquhar said it was ironic that only three "late night" venues - The Lord Alfred Hotel, Lefty's Old Time Music Hall and The Caxton Hotel - had to scan from 11pm, while all other venues did not have to because they did not usually trade after midnight but could apply for extended-hour permits to stay open until the early hours.
Liquor and Gaming Commissioner David Ford said the office had told Mr Farquhar they were "minded" to reject his applications but a decision was likely to be made on Friday.
Mr Ford told ABC Radio Brisbane queuing was likely because the premises were full, not because of ID scanning, and the relaxed ID scanning times for Origin last year was granted because the rules were still quite new.
"He's put in quite a number of applications, all of which have been rejected, and none of which have caused any problems," he said.
An Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation spokeswoman said the Commissioner had previously refused applications to extend hours for The Caxton Hotel on game and event days, but each application was considered on its merits.
The spokeswoman said OLGR had no evidence that ID scanning was linked to any public safety risk, and in particular, in Caxton Street, following major events at Suncorp Stadium.
"It is the responsibility of licensees to have adequate procedures in place to manage queues associated with their venues," she said.