MS 8915 - Papers of Greg Weir
Volume Number 16: Lesbian and Gay Issues - Queensland Liquor Act 1985

Doc. No: 1 - 16
        Press Article        1985.10.10
        From: Media  Courier Mail        
        "Harper suggests tougher liquor laws"


Doc. No: 2 - 16
        Amendment Bill        1985.11.05
        From: Attorney General  Queensland        
        "Liquor Act and other Acts Amendment Bill Analysis 
        of Contents".   Item 16 referring to 47A of act 
        "(a) inserting after the word "prostitute" occurring 
        in paragraph (c) the words ', drug dealers ,sexual 
        perverts or deviants, child molesters'." (page 8)


Doc. No: 3 - 16
        Speech Notes - Liquor Act Amendment Bill 1985. 1985.11.05
        From: Attorney General          
        "Two additional grounds for forfeiture of a licence .... 
        The first is that the licensed premises have been the 
        resort of 'drug dealers, sexual perverts or deviants or 
        child molesters' and this amendment is consequential on 
        other amendments which make it an offence for a licence
        holder to allow such persons to be in or upon licensed  
        premises" (Pg 12)


Doc. No: 4 - 16
        Tabling Speech        1985.11.05
        From: Attorney General          
        To: Parliament  
        No mention of the offending amendment


Doc. No: 5 - 16
        "Press Article        1985.11.06
        From: Media  Courier Mail        
        "Bill calls for clamp-down on liquor sales to youths"


Doc. No: 6 - 16
        Press Article        1985.11.07
        From: Media  Daily Sun        
        "Molester Bars target of ban"


Doc. No: 7 - 16
        Press Article        1985.11.06
        From: Media  Telegraph        
        "Gay Bars Banned"


Doc. No: 8 - 16
        Press Article        1985.11.07
        From: Media  Australian        
        "Qld Police can close gay bars"


Doc. No: 9 - 16
        Press Article        1985.11.07
        From: Media  Courier Mail        
        "A 'poofter-bashing witch hunt',says welfare worker"


Doc. No: 10 - 16
        Cartoons (2)        1985.11.07
        From: Media  Australian        
        "Joh's Bar"


Doc. No: 11 - 16
        Transcript        1985.11.07
        From: Media  A.M. ABC Radio        
        "Changes to Queensland Liquor Laws"


Doc. No: 12 - 16
        Editorial        1985.11.07
        From: Media  Telegraph        
        "Drinking Clean-up"


Doc. No: 13 - 16
        Editorial        1985.11.08
        From: Media  Sun        
        "Scattergun drink Laws"


Doc. No: 14 - 16
        Press Report        1985.11.08
        From: Media  Sun        
        "Gay Bars outlawed in AIDS crackdown" (NY)


Doc. No: 15 - 16
        Press Article        1985.11.08
        From: Media  Courier Mail        
        "Mayor clamps on gay bars" (NY)


Doc. No: 16 - 16
        Editorial        1985.11.09
        From: Media  Telegraph        
        "Warren's barred" (Date not certain)


Doc. No: 17 - 16
        Press Article        1985.11.09
        From: Media  Sydney Morning Herald        
        "Life is a state of siege for Brisbane's homosexuals"


Doc. No: 18 - 16
        Press Article        1985.11.10
        From: Media  Sunday Mail        
        "Ban gay bars, Libs demand"


Doc. No: 19 - 16
        Press Article        1985.11.10
        From: Media  Sunday Mail        
        Exit line column.  "Sir Llew is in the position of just
        appointing as Expose's first official ambassadress, one   
        Miss Monte Pursham, who takes a somewhat dim view of 
        Mr Harper (Queensland Attorney General) and his proposed 
        legislation... a dignified and extremely personable lady,
        who celebrated her 103 birthday... told 'Exit Line' ... 
        that the proposed legislation was 'ridiculous ....."


Doc. No: 20 - 16
        Press Article        1985.11.10
        From: Media  Sunday Mail        
        "When holding hands was reason for ire" (Date not certain)


Doc. No: 21 - 16
        Agenda for Meeting        1985.11.11
        From:   Greg Weir        
        To: Members  First Gay Meeting
        Outline of proposed activities to be taken.


Doc. No: 22 - 16
        Notes        1985.11.11
        From:   Weir G        
        Very rough notes on meeting of 11.10.1985


Doc. No: 23 - 16
        List        1985.11.11
        From: Gay Rights Committee          
        Meeting attendance list.


Doc. No: 24 - 16
        Press Article        1985.11.11
        From: Media  Courier Mail        
        "Opposition: The 'pervert' liquor law is illogical" (Goss)


Doc. No: 25 - 16
        Press Article        1985.11.11
        From: Media  Courier Mail        
        "Pub law fear in AIDS war" (Goss)


Doc. No: 26 - 16
        Press Article        1985.11.12
        From: Media  Courier Mail        
        "Liquor law a real drag"


Doc. No: 27 - 16
        Question without Notice        1985.11.13
        From: Chipp D  Senate        
        To: Evans G  Minister
        "Queensland: Licensed Premises" Examines implications of 
        international treaties


Doc. No: 28 - 16
        Second Reading- Resumption of Debate        1985.11.19
        From: Parliamentarian          
        To: Parliament  Queensland
        Various speakers to Liquor Act Amendment Bill 1985


Doc. No: 29 - 16
        Press Article        1985.11.20
        From: Media  Daily Sun        
        "Joh, Knox battle over new laws"


Doc. No: 30 - 16
        Transcript        1985.11.20
        From: Media  P.M. ABC Radio        
        To: Tahmindjis P  
        "A Homosexual Group in Brisbane has claimed that 
        police have been harassing..." Refer to the last document, 
        a letter by Phillip Tahmindjis, for an account of police 
        activity at this time.


Doc. No: 31 - 16
        Press Article        1985.11.20
        From: Media  Telegraph        
        To:   Quentin Dempster
        "Spot the Queer" (Approximate date)


Doc. No: 32 - 16
        Media Release        1985.11.20
        From: Weir G  Gay Groups        
        To: News Editors  Media
        "Gays to take Action"


Doc. No: 33 - 16
        Press Article        1985.11.21
        From: Media  Daily Sun        
        "Pubs snub new laws"


Doc. No: 34 - 16
        Editorial        1985.11.21
        From: Media  Daily Sun        
        "Publicans not police"


Doc. No: 35 - 16
        Press Articles        1985.11.21
        From: Media  Courier Mail        
        A Number of important articles on the Amendments to 
        the Liquor Act


Doc. No: 36 - 16
        Editorial        1985.11.21
        From: Media  Courier Mail        
        "Good intentions... bad legislation" (Approximate dating)

Doc. No: 37 - 16
        Ministerial Statement        1985.11.21
        From: Attorney General  Queensland        
        To: Parliament  Queensland
        Liquor Act Amendment.  "I am concerned and disappointed 
        at the media's comments... The amendment has attracted
        such unwarranted attention from a small but vocal sector.."


Doc. No: 38 - 16
        Press Article        1985.11.21
        From: Media  Telegraph        
        "No rush to close bars" - Licensing Commission


Doc. No: 39 - 16
        Press Article        1985.11.21
        From: Media  Courier Mail        
        "Parliament in uproar over changes to law"


Doc. No: 40 - 16
        Press Article        1985.11.23
        From: Media  Daily Sun        
        "Publicans vow to risk jail"


Doc. No: 41 - 16
        Case Histories        1985.11.23
        From: Tahmindjis P  Gay Legal Group        
        Two case histories of police harassment and abuse.  These 
        were the two cases which Phillip Tahmindjis regarded as 
        watertight in establishing police harassment.  There were 
        lots of second hand reports and a number of people would 
        not sing statutory declarations.


Doc. No: 42 - 16
        Media Release        1985.11.24
        From: Weir G  Gay Groups        
        To: Media  
        "Gay groups seek meeting with Queensland Attorney General 
        and Call for independent inquiry"


Doc. No: 43 - 16
        Press Article        1985.11.24
        From: Media  Courier Mail        
        "Law on deviants "not aimed at gay bars" - Harper


Doc. No: 44 - 16
        Letter        1985.11.25
        From: Weir G  Queensland Gay Rights Committee        
        To: Attorney General  Queensland
        Request for clarification on legal points of the 
        legislation.


Doc. No: 45 - 16
        Letter        1985.11.25
        From: McKenzie C          
        To: Attorney General  Queensland
        


Doc. No: 46 - 16
        Press Article        1985.11.25
        From: Media  Daily Sun        
        "Gays seek law definition"


Doc. No: 47 - 16
        Letter        1985.11.26
        From: Cheal M          
        To: Editor  Courier Mail
        "Pardon. I'm a little Queer"


Doc. No: 48 - 16
        Notice of Meeting        1985.11.27
        From: Weir G  Queensland Gay Rights Committee        
        To: Supporters  
        


Doc. No: 49 - 16
        Media Release        1985.11.29
        From: Leslie B, Bartos M  National Gay Lobby        
        To: News Editors  Media
        "National Gay Lobby to meet human rights commission over 
        Queensland Liquor & to plan national activities"  (The 
        national lobby comprised just a few gays in Canberra who
        met occasionally when the need arose.)


Doc. No: 50 - 16
        Media Release        1985.11.30
        From: Leslie L, Bartos M  National Gay Lobby        
        To: Editors  Media
        "Gay Lobby group calls for urgent action  to counter
        increased harassment under Queensland Liquor Law."


Doc. No: 51 - 16
        Press Article        1985.12.01
        From: Sunday Sun  Media        
        "Gays plan drive on bar laws"


Doc. No: 52 - 16
        Press Article        1985.12.01
        From: Media  Sunday Mail        
        "Gays move on Queensland Liquor Acts"


Doc. No: 53 - 16
        Letter to the Editor        1985.12.02
        From: Feeney J  Jumbuck Productions        
        To: Editor  Courier Mail
        "Liquor Act misunderstood


Doc. No: 54 - 16
        Media Release        1985.12.02
        From: Leslie B, Weir G  National Gay Lobby        
        To: Editors  Media
        "Human Rights Commission to consider amendments to the
        Queensland Liquor Act"


Doc. No: 55 - 16
        Draft letter        1985.12.02
        From: Leslie L  National Gay Lobby        
        To: Chair  Human Rights Commission
        Asking the Commission to take action.


Doc. No: 56 - 16
        Press Article        1985.12.03
        From: Daily Sun  Media        
        "High Court bid on deviant law"


Doc. No: 57 - 16
        Press Article        1985.12.03
        From: Media  Telegraph        
        "Gays in move to beat law"


Doc. No: 58 - 16
        Press Article        1985.12.04
        From: Daily Sun  Media        
        "Pub has no beer for obvious gays"


Doc. No: 59 - 16
        Press Article        1985.12.04
        From: Media  Daily Sun        
        "Suspected sex offenders named in report"


Doc. No: 60 - 16
        Media Release        1985.12.05
        From: Weir G  Gay Rights Group        
        To: Editors  Media
        "Activity heightens over the Qld Liquor Act on "Deviants 
        and "sexual perverts"


Doc. No: 61 - 16
        Press Article        1985.12.05
        From: Media  Daily Sun        
        "Bitter lash at pub laws" (Approximate date)


Doc. No: 62 - 16
        Media Release        1985.12.06
        From: Weir G  Gay Rights Group        
        To: News Editors  Media
        "Activity heightens over the Queensland Liquor Act on
        "Deviants and "sexual perverts"


Doc. No: 63 - 16
        Agenda        1985.12.07
        From: GW  Gay Rights Committee        
        To: Media  
        Outline of Public Meeting

Doc. No: 64 - 16
        Attendance list        1985.12.07
        From: Public Meeting          
        Some of those who attended the public meeting


Doc. No: 65 - 16
        Poster        1985.12.07
        From: Weir G and Vandebeck N, Gay Rights Lobby        
        To: Public  
        "Save the Bars"


Doc. No: 66 - 16
        Press Article        1985.12.09
        From: Daily Sun  Media        
        "Gays Protest against drink laws" Harper 'the laws were 
        not designed to harass the gay community'


Doc. No: 67 - 16
        Letter        1985.12.09
        From: Hobson P  Gay Socialist Group        
        To: Weir G  Queensland Gay Rights Committee
        "The Gay Socialist Group welcomes the initiatives of the
        FBA (Free Business Association) and others..."


Doc. No: 68 - 16
        Letter        1985.12.13
        From: Act. Assistant Secretary  Human Rights Commission        
        To: Greg Weir  
        Offer to refer issue to Federal Attorney General.


Doc. No: 69 - 16
        Letter        1985.12.27
        From: Attorney General          
        To: Weir G  Queensland Gay Rights Committee
        Response to letter


Doc. No: 70 - 16
        Press Article        1986.01.16
        From: Courier Mail  Media        
        "Gay Bars still full"


Doc. No: 71 - 16
        Press Article        1986.01.31
        From: Courier Mail  Media        
        "A colleague spied a young pedestrian in Adelaide Street 
        at lunch-time wearing a T-shirt which carried the startling 
        information "Sexual Deviate"


Doc. No: 72 - 16
        Reply to letter        1986.02.25
        From: Attorney General  Federal        
        To: Phillip Tahmindjis  
        


Doc. No: 72 - 16
        Petitions        1986.02.25
        From: Queensland Gay Rights Committee          
        Copies of petitions


Doc. No: 73 - 16
        Poster        1986.02.25
        From: Neils Vandebeck\Greg Weir  Qld Human Rights Group        
        Design greg weir and production Neils Vendebeck


Doc. No: 74 - 16
        Description of period (Appendix 1)        1993.06.17
        From: Phillip Tahmindjis          


Doc. No: 75 - 16
        Transcript        1985.07.02
        From: Media  National ABC radio        
        Qld Attorney General Backs Down over Abortion charges. 
       (Appendix 2)


Doc. No: 76 - 16
        Question without Notice        1985.05.21
        From: Reynolds M  Senate        
        To: Evans G  Senate
        Police raids on abortion clinics. (Appendix 2b) Included 
        as an example other political activity of the time.


Doc. No: 77 - 16
        Press Article        1985.09.28
        From: Media  Daily Sun        
        "Libs demand seats probe - Gerrymander claim"  
        (Appendix 3)


Doc. No: 78 - 16
        Briefing documents        1985.04.01
        From: Greg Weir  Senator Georges Office        
        "The Queensland Power Industry Dispute"  (Appendix 4)


Doc. No: 79 - 16
        Briefing documents        1985.11.11
        From: Senate          
        To:   Hansard
        Direct action a year of conflict on the picket lines. 
        (Appendix 6)


Doc. No: 80 - 16
        Article        1985.08.01
        From: Bailey p  Human Rights Commission        
        "Homosexual scapegoats" (Appendix 6)


Doc. No: 81 - 16
        Memo        1985.11.11
        From: Greg Weir          
        Senator Georges arrested outside of SEQEB headquarters 
        (Human rights day).


Doc. No: APPENDIX - 16
        File Note        1995.09.16
        From: Weir G           
        These documents marked "appendix"  (documents 74 to 81) 
        show the other political actions taken by the Queensland
        Government in 1985. Many people in that year felt great
        concern over the "dictatorial" political action being 
        taken by the Queensland National Party Government.  It
        was in this political context and atmosphere, that the
        gay community responded to the legislation on the Liquor Acts.

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