The bizarre decision has struck at the heart of property rights by apparently removing a motelier's common law entitlement to refuse accommodation if it is believed that a guest’s presence would cause annoyance to other guests.
"Queensland's attorney-general will stop at nothing to revoke a sex worker's hard-won right to operate out of a motel.The Accommodation Association of Australia has also waded-in and it is pleasing that it may play a role in any appeal:
...Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie says businesses have the right to be in control of their establishments.
He said if a conflict existed between the Anti-Discrimination Act and the Liquor Act, the government would change the laws to ensure the inconsistency was resolved.
"The government stands on the side of business owners and supports their ability to make decisions about what does or does not occur on their premises," he said in a statement.
...Mr Bleijie also said he would attempt to overturn a second recent QCAT ruling."
"The accommodation industry has applauded the Queensland Governments support for motels following a court ruling against motel owners in an anti discrimination case involving a sex worker.
The sex worker won her case against motel owners in the Queensland mining town of Moranbah who refused to rent her a room.
The Queensland Civil and Administration Tribunal ruled the owners of Moranbah's Drovers Rest Motel, southwest of Mackay, contravened the Anti-Discrimination Act.
The Accommodation Association of Australia said in a statement this evening that it welcomes the announcement from the Queensland Government that it is supportive of the ability of business owners to make decisions about what does or does not occur on their premises following the judgment.
“Operators of accommodation businesses can feel much more certain about their rights as a direct result of this announcement, which includes a pledge by the Government to explore legislative change and/or an appeal of this decision," said AAA chief executive officer Richard Munro.
“It is further confirmation that Premier Campbell Newman and his Government have a strong interest in tourism and that they are keen to ensure that the Queensland tourism experience is enriched by staying in accommodation establishments across the State.
“The Newman Government deserves credit for stating that it intends to play a leading role in addressing this important issue.
“The Accommodation Association is in the process of determining what part it will play in any appeal.
“It remains the industry’s position that the decision about who is able to stay in tourism accommodation businesses in Australia should lie with the owner, operator, licensee or manager of the business.”
