FIVE security guards have been busted working without proper licences following a blitz across Gold Coast bars, hotels and nightclubs.
59 security providers at 34 local venues were visited over the weekend as part of a crackdown involving Queensland Police, the Office of Liquor and Gaming and the Office of Fair Trading.
Five people were found working as security providers with no licence.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman said the compliance operation followed recent incidents involving security personnel on the Gold Coast, including a viral video showing a young couple being pushed down the stairs outside a venue in Labrador.
“Security staff play an important role in providing a safe night out for everyone,” Ms Fentiman said.
“It is often a difficult role, and that is why only suitable, trained and licensed staff should be involved.
“There have been recent reports of patrons being mistreated by security personnel on the Gold Coast and we want to ensure patrons can enjoy a night out with friends safely.
“Security providers need to be properly trained. They must pass criminal history checks and meet strict probity requirements to be eligible for security licences,” Ms Fentiman said.
Chief Executive Officer of Australian Security Industry Association Ltd, Bryan de Caires, said he fully supported the enforcement actions undertaken.
“Venues need to understand that by engaging unlicensed and poorly trained security providers they are exposing their patrons and themselves to a level of risk that can have devastating consequences,” Mr de Caires said.
Commissioner for Liquor and Gaming and Commissioner for Fair Trading Victoria Thomson acknowledged that the security industry like many others were facing difficulties with recruitment and staff shortages but it is important that security personnel were correctly licensed and accredited to ensure patron safety.
“Individual security personnel need to have a current licence on them while they are working and this needs to have the correct endorsements for their allocated roles, such as crowd controller or security officer,” Ms Thomson said.
“It is also important patrons treat security staff with respect at all times, particularly when they are trying to de-escalate a situation.”
Both the individuals and venues face huge fines that escalate for repeat offences.
For a first offence the maximum penalty is more than $68,000, for a second offence it’s more than $96,000 or six-months imprisonment, and for a third offence it’s more than $137,000 or 18-months imprisonment.
