170 Queenslanders refused bouncer licenses after charges

[Dave]

http://www.news.com.au

170 Queenslanders refused bouncer licenses after charges - Australia

More than 170 people have been refused a licence to work as a bouncer after police checks found they had criminal convictions or had faced serious charges.

A Mount Isa man, 41, who had been charged with rape, deprivation of liberty and assault, is among 173 applicants who have been refused a licence since July 1 last year.

Others to be rejected were a Brisbane man, 24, whose criminal history includes assault, drug possession, illegal entry and receiving tainted property; and a 41-year-old Townsville man, charged with assault and stealing, although no convictions were recorded against him.

Between 2004 and 2006, bouncers were involved in 19 deaths at or near licensed premises in Queensland.

Since November, the Department of Justice has run daily police checks to ensure no licensed security providers have been charged or convicted of disqualifying offences.

The SCRAM – suitability, checking, reporting and monitoring – system checks the state's 23,000 licensed providers.

"What this system does is allow us to suspend the individuals as soon as they are charged with offences such as assault, sexual assault, fraud, murder, stealing and drug offences," Attorney-General Kerry Shine said.

Since July 1, the security licences of 22 bouncers around the state have been cancelled and another 24 suspended.

"We would expect to see further suspensions and disqualifications within the coming months if security licence-holders are convicted of disqualifying offences," Mr Shine said.

He said security licences also could be refused on the basis of public interest.

"Security providers need to be responsible and professional people," he said. "Most play an important role in maintaining the peace."