As pubs and clubs in outback Queensland prepare to open their doors again this weekend, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today visited the XXXX Brewery in Milton to announce that more than 3,000 litres of XXXX GOLD will make its way licensed venues.
A truck carrying 60 kegs will depart Brisbane to deliver a free keg to pubs and clubs re-opening this weekend in Roma, Barcaldine, Ilfracombe, Longreach, Dulacca, Yuleba, Wallumbilla, Mungallala, Blackall.
The Premier said because parts of outback Queensland have seen no cases of COVID-19, outback pubs and clubs will be able to reopen for dining on 15 May.
Those pubs will be allowed 20 patrons at a time, observing social distancing.
"Pubs and clubs are the heart and soul of communities right across our Sunshine State – but particularly in outback towns which have already been hit so hard by drought in recent years," the Premier said.
"We know that many parts of Queensland have been dealt more than their fair share of blows, and a global pandemic on top of years of drought – as well as floods, fires and other natural disasters – is almost too much to fathom.
"We hope that by carefully relaxing some of the restrictions in these regions, we can start to rebuild our regional economies – and give everyone the morale boost they really need right now.
"I want to thank the regional Mayors who have lobbied hard for their communities.
"It has been a tough time – but we are strong, and we will return better than ever."
Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said Outback pubs are important meeting places, especially in remote communities.
"As customers come in for their supplies, they will now be able to stop and talk to friends and neighbours," the Minister said.
"That is an incredibly vital role that our Outback pubs and clubs play in their communities."
XXXX Sales Director Pat Donohue said for a number of smaller pubs and clubs in Western Queensland, 20 patrons are enough to get back to business.
"It's been a really rocky road for our customers in Western Queensland, and we have done our best to support them on the road to re-opening," Mr Donohue said.
"On March 23 we announced we would credit our customers for all full kegs when they were required to close, which equated to about $5 million for pubs and clubs in Queensland. Now we want to do our bit for these pubs and clubs in the outback – it is these venues where communities come to meet in good times and in bad, and they really are what makes this state so great.
"We hope this truck full of free kegs will make it a little bit easier for them to turn their taps back on this weekend – and bring their communities back together.
"Our draught quality team has been working with our customers to make sure that first cold beer tastes better than ever. So make your first a XXXX!"
