Updated July 29, 2026 — 10:20am,first published July 29, 2026 — 9:26am

The Queensland government has ignored key recommendations to allow extended retail, scrap ID scanning at certain venues and encourage teenagers to attend gigs in a desperate bid to revitalise Brisbane’s struggling live music and nightlife scene.

On Wednesday, the government published its official response alongside the long-awaited Moonside report, prepared by Queensland’s inaugural Night-Life Economy Commissioner – former Powderfinger bassist John “JC” Collins – which made 62 proposals to fix Brisbane nightlife.

That response did not support 21 of the recommendations, including an option for later trade at retail and supermarkets in party suburbs, staggering exits from clubs to enhance safety, and extending trading hours on Good Friday and Christmas.

The use of facial recognition software to replace ID scanners and deal with long lines would also be ignored, with Youth Minister Sam O’Connor, whose department handled the report, deeming the proposal unsafe.

“It’s our view that that technology is not at the point where it can replace the current system,” he said.

The government’s response, a 22-page action plan, has a strong focus on existing Safe Night Precincts.

It will offer liquor licensing discounts to live music venues and alter noise complaints law to give music venues a fighting chance.

Under a new noise complaint framework, venues must get five other complaints before the problem is taken seriously.

Noise limits will also be reviewed, and a process for special events licensing hours – like those seen during the World Cup for Socceroos games – will be streamlined.

Incentives for venues to provide drink spiking test kits were supported in principle, with the government declaring the industry and Safe Night Precinct boards would be well-placed to promote and implement the practice.

There are 15 such precincts around Queensland, including Fortitude Valley, the Brisbane CBD and the area around Caxton Street near Suncorp Stadium.

Collins said he was disappointed not all of his recommendations were supported, but he would continue in his role, advocating for faster implementation of the accepted recommendations and lobbying for those not yet supported.

“While I am naturally disappointed that the government has not endorsed all the recommendations, I’m encouraged that other key recommendations have been endorsed,” he said.

O’Connor said the government was certain its current plan would support the struggling industry in the short and long term.

“We wanted to make sure this was a report that was responded to and had clear practical actions to deliver change we need to see,” he said.

Queensland Hotels Association chief Bernie Hogan, who sat on the panel with Collins, said the report meant little without seeing how it was implemented.

“QHA is more interested in the impact of the implemented recommendations put forward rather than the number of them,” he said.

“While this report begins the process of modernisation for Queensland, the path to meaningful reform remains unclear.”

It is unclear when and how much of a discount live music venues will receive on their liquor licences, with the government only committing to considering the move by the 2027-28 financial year.

O’Connor said the government would deliver the discount as an ongoing cost-saver for venues.

“We’re figuring out the quantum of the discount those venues will receive, but they will be receiving a discount if they have live music, and that is what we’re committing to,” he said.

Collins said he would be advocating for the measure to be taken soon.

“Two years might be too late,” he said.

The state also decided not to support Collins’ call for incentives for food venues to stay open later, and for underage teens to attend live music events.

“This is not about us providing handouts, it’s about those structural changes we need to see to the system,” O’Connor said.

A recommendation for a pilot program of late night trains from the Valley between 1am and 4am on weekends was also ignored, with the government arguing there are already enough buses at those times.

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