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A popular pub south of Cairns has become the first in the region ordered to shut down after allegedly refusing to comply with the COVID-19 vaccination mandate.
Mission Beach Tavern has been directed to close by the state government, while police have also slapped the business with a fine of almost $7000.
Far North police visited the venue in December, alongside officers from the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulations, on public complaints alleging pub staff were neglecting public health measures surrounding vaccinations.
Alongside an infringement notice of $6982 issued to the business, the pub’s manager was dealt an individual fine of $1387 for allegedly failing to comply with health directives.
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Since 17 December, unvaccinated Queenslanders have been banned from entering or working at a range of hospitality venues, as well as hospitals and aged acre facilities.
The mandate was soon extended to cover employees at schools, childcare centres, prisons and airports.
Police revisited the Mission Beach Tavern on Australia Day before the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) ordered the business to shut down two days later.
“On Friday, OLGR issued a direction, under the Public Health Act 2005, requiring the operator of Mission Beach Tavern to close the business until 4pm on 27 February 2022,” an OLGR spokesperson said.
“The direction will be revoked if the operator demonstrates willingness to follow the Chief Health Officer’s public health directions.
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“OLGR has always been focused on the health and safety of Queenslanders and we need everyone to play their part.”
It’s the first licensed business in North Queensland ordered to shut down.
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) said further action may be taken.
“Anyone who tries to exploit compliance measures by falsifying information, or not complying with the Chief Health Officer’s directions, is putting their safety and the safety of the community at risk,” a QPS spokesperson said.
“COVID-19 and the highly contagious Omicron variant is spreading throughout Queensland and we need to remain vigilant.
“Compliance checks of businesses by police in the Far North will continue.”
Bob Katter, Federal Member for Kennedy, said the Mission Beach Tavern is an essential service and should remain open to the community.
“The extreme nature of this ALP Government and how it is destroying essential services is unacceptable,” he said.
“A lot of people may not consider a hotel an essential service, but it is.
“If you want to fine people, alright then, but by closing the tavern you punish the whole community.
“For whatever reason they may have, going to the local pub is, for some people, the single thing that keeps them going.
“The social interactions that come from having a drink at the pub can’t be underestimated, particularly in regional towns.
“So, reopen the Mission Beach tavern or there will be hell to pay.”
The Mission Beach Tavern has not responded to questions from Tropic Now.
Another Far North business owner is taking battle against the Queensland Government’s vaccination mandate to the Cairns Supreme Court on Friday.
Birgit Machnitzke, owner of Helga’s Pancake House, has filed a judicial review against directives issued by both Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Peter Aitken and Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard.
Ms Machnitzke, who’s crowdfunding the challenge, estimates the legal costs to be between $80,000 and $170,000.
Main points
- Mission Beach Tavern has been ordered to close for four weeks following alleged non-compliance with COVID-19 health directives
- The business and its manager have also been issued fines totalling more than $8300
- Another Far North business owner is taking the state government’s vaccination mandate to the Cairns Supreme Court this week
