A Queensland parliamentary committee looking into alcohol-related violence has recommended weekday trading hours be wound back to no later than 2am in entertainment precincts and 1am elsewhere.

In its report tabled this morning, the bipartisan committee recommends 4am trading on the weekend in the entertainment precincts, and 3am elsewhere, with all premises subject to a 2am lock-out.

It has also called for precincts to be declared as such and to have a management plan.

The committee has also recommended mandatory use of tempered glass or polycarbonate after midnight in all venues, other than those deemed to be low risk.

It says free water should be made available to patrons.

Closing hours for detached bottleshops are recommended to be wound back from 10pm to 9pm.

The committee says it supports increased penalties for violent offenders, and for more resources for police and liquor licensing authorities.

It has also recommended police and the courts have the power to ban offenders from the designated entertainment precincts.

The inquiry heard submissions from across Queensland on ways to curb alcohol-related attacks.

The committee held three public hearings and received more than 130 public submissions.

Other issues under consideration included the culture of drinking and the role parents can play in educating children.

The impact of alcohol-related violence on emergency service and health workers was also been considered.

Inquiry chairwoman, Labor MP Barbara Stone, says earlier closing will not hurt pubs and clubs around the state.

“We had a look at what people in the community … expect and we had a look at traders when they spoke to us [and] were telling us that their peak times are that Friday, Saturday night,” she said.

“So we don’t believe we have impacted too much on their best trading times.”

Queensland Police Union (QPU) president Ian Leavers said yesterday the State Government should adopt the 2am curfew for pubs and clubs, as applies in the city of Newcastle.

“They’ve seen a 20 to 30 per cent reduction in general crime [and] a 30 per cent reduction in serious violent assaults and as well as sexual assaults,” he said.

Police Minister Neil Roberts said yesterday he personally agrees with the QPU view.

“The industry I’m sure will be able to survive whatever the final hours are,” he said.

“I have a personal view that we don’t need to go through until 5am but ultimately we need to take into account all views and obviously this report will be a significant milestone in terms of dealing with alcohol-fuelled issues in community.”

Queensland Nurses Union (QNU) assistant secretary Beth Mohle also said yesterday there should be stricter penalties for drunken attacks on hospital staff.

“We really do want to see that those sort of like avenues pursued in circumstances where there is violence towards nurses and other health workers,” she said.

Identification scanners

Pubs and clubs will also be encouraged to install identification scanners under recommendations being put to Queensland Parliament.

As part of the proposal, venues using the technology could be given a reduction in license fees.

Law, Justice and Safety committee member Dean Wells has expressed concerns that the measure could create identity and privacy issues.

Committee chairwoman Barbara Stone says ID scanners can help to reduce violence.

“Knowing that there’s going to be a picture of them, their driver’s licence, their details if anything happens – that’s there, that’s there for police, that’s there for the club to say you’re not coming back,” she said.

“Now I don’t know about you but I’d be pretty upset if I wasn’t allowed to go to back to a club with my friends and enjoy my Friday night.”