United Voice News
LHMU Queensland, representing ambulance officers, security guards and hospitality workers – says Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley entertainment precinct is again building up into a frenzy of festive season violence.
Branch Secretary Gary Bullock said the union was increasingly concerned about the dangers faced by members working in the precinct, particularly as Christmas celebrations begin to escalate.
“Things in the Valley are really, really bad,” Gary Bullock said.
“Our members working there are effectively in frontline positions in an area that turns into a war zone every weekend. The threat of violence is increasingly real to them as the year reaches its climax.
“Binge drinking is out of control, drugs are out of control and violence against workers is on the rise as a direct result – and it’s a real worry for our union.”
The problems experienced by ambulance officers has become far more pronounced in the last few years.
“Paramedics increasingly fear for their safety when called to incidents in the Valley – and they’re called there often,” Gary said.
“With assaults against paramedics on the rise across the state, saying that the Valley is one of the most dangerous places in Queensland for them to work in is no small statement.
“The Police can’t be everywhere at once and with thousands of out-of-control patrons in the precinct every weekend, it’s really only a matter of time until we see a serious attack on one of our members there.”
Gary said it was a minefield to navigate a path which helps businesses in the precinct flourish while changing this culture of drunken, drug-fuelled violence every weekend.
“Nevertheless, we think the key is in higher security to patron ratios and better support of the principles of Responsible Service of Alcohol program,” he said.
“It’s going to take a lot of work to clean up the valley, but for the sake of our members and other workers in the precinct as well as members of the public, it’s something that has to be done.”
LHMU will present a submission for the State Government’s inquiry into alcohol-related violence at the end of November.
