The Palaszczuk government has left open the possibility it won't introduce the most contentious measure of its laws to curb alcohol-fuelled violence – lockouts – if the reduction in alcohol service hours in Queensland proves successful.
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But the LNP, which has stood against the measures since it was in government, has already predicted their failure, with Jarrod Bleijie convinced "there are ferals out there who will do the wrong thing anyway".
From July 1, patrons will find their requests for alcoholic drinks denied from 3am in entertainment districts, while suburban clubs, bars, pubs and hotels will stop serving drinks at 2am.
Shots and other rapid-consumption drinks will be banned from midnight across the state.
But the most controversial measure in the Labor government's suite of legislation aimed at tackling alcohol-fuelled violence, the 1am lockout, due to be implemented in February 2017, may not occur.
Police Minister Bill Byrne, who was rolled out by the government to talk about the legislation's implementation in the midst of a strong campaign from the opposition and industry stakeholders that Friday's changes would cost 6000 jobs across Queensland and lead to venue shutdowns, said the government was keeping "an open mind".
"Let's just wait and see what happens," he said.
"... I have an open mind to all sorts of propositions from time to time. But right now we want to see the measures that we have fought very hard for, that we've taken through parliamentary debate, we have had a full engagement with the community on, I want to see those measures brought in and see the results we expect.
"I have an open mind on many things."
But Mr Bleijie's mind has already been made up.
"I am not confident the laws are going to work, I am not confident that not selling shots after midnight will not stop people drinking, because you know what? There are ferals out there who are going to do the wrong thing anyway," he said.
"And when you punish the few, you punish the majority of people for the sins of the few – that is what is happening, essentially here – and it is not going to fix the situation because those people who want to cause mischief, who want to have the fights and want to have the arguments are going to do it anyway."
The two parties have been locked in a battle over the laws since the Newman government ruled out making any changes to trading hours or lockouts, and instead implemented harsher penalties and education campaigns to address the issue.
Labor vowed to push ahead with the "Newcastle solution" throughout its time in opposition, which saw Anthony Lynham, one of the most vocal supporters of reducing trading and lockouts, leave his maxillofacial surgery and embark on a political career with the Labor Party.
After a last-minute deal with the Katter Party MPs, Labor won its battle, with what Mr Byrne on Thursday labelled a "compromise" from its original proposal, which was more closely mirrored to Newcastle's restrictions.
The entire suite of laws is due for review in 2018.
