What it does
The Liquor Act 1992 (Qld) is the cornerstone statute governing the sale, supply, promotion and consumption of liquor across Queensland. Section 3 states the Act's main purposes: to regulate the liquor industry in a way compatible with minimising harm and the potential for harm from alcohol abuse and misuse and associated violence; to minimise adverse effects on public health, safety and community amenity; and to facilitate the optimum development of the tourist, liquor and hospitality industries having regard to community welfare and economic considerations.
The Act achieves those purposes through a licensing and permit framework administered by the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation. It creates six licence categories and eight permit categories, imposes detailed obligations on all participants in the industry, gives investigators broad compliance powers, establishes specialist frameworks for restricted areas and safe night precincts, and provides for tribunal review of licensing decisions.
The Act is Queensland-specific and is not the same statute as the New South Wales Liquor Act 1982. The Queensland Act has been substantially amended over 30 years, and Parts 11 and 12 contain extensive transitional provisions preserving rights and obligations from predecessor arrangements.