Minister’s ‘no’ a rude shock to nudists

THE Minister for Police has said no to the nudies, rejecting the public push to turn Alexandria Bay into an official nude beach.
Despite two petitions with a total of over 1400 signatures, Police Minister Bill Byrne rejected the push for a clothing optional beach in Noosa, stating the Queensland Government “has no plans to change the current legislation dealing with wilful exposure”.
Mr Bryne said the “current legislation in relation to wilful exposure is designed to provide for the protection and safety of Queenslanders”.
Australian Sex Party representative and local equal rights advocate Robin Bristow slammed the announcement from Mr Byrne.
“Our state is 40 years behind the rest of Australia in legalising nude beaches,” Mr Bristow said.
“We are the last state in Australia to make this simple change to legislation. How can we call ourselves the Smart State if our politicians can’t even move into the 21st Century?”
Mr Bristow said Mr Byrne’s comments about the laws being designed to provide protection was a “pathetic argument”.
“What are the people in Queensland being protected from? It is their choice to be on a nude beach and making such a claim is complete rubbish when we see that the rest of Australia has the freedom to visit the many clothing optional beaches up and down the coast,” Mr Bristow said.
“Queensland is making criminals out of decent folk who are making adult decisions about their lifestyle, decisions that do not affect anyone else. We are tired of being seen as the backward state and we need the Queensland Government to show that we have moved on from the Joh Bjelke-Petersen era”.
Member for Noosa Glen Elmes has lent his support to Mr Byrne’s stance on nude beaches, stating “there are a myriad of other factors such as environmental and social impacts” which need to be considered.
“A-Bay has been an unofficial nude beach for as long as I can remember and has been quietly accepted by the community because it is remote and easily avoided,” Mr Elmes said.
“Lobbyists for A-Bay to be made an official nudist beach purported in recent times that such a move would attract an additional 100,000 bathers to the beach each year.
“If the population were to expand in this way, additional services would be required to support such growth, including the need for surf lifesavers, toilet and shower facilities, car parking and access for emergency services.
“The introduction of additional infrastructure like this is just not feasible in a national park, and would be wildly opposed by conservation and environmental groups, not to mention Noosa ratepayers who would be left to pick up the bill.
“Where would Sunshine Beach Surf Lifesaving Club find volunteer resources during the summer, and Noosa Council during the winter months? Similarly, where would our already stretched police force find the extra resources required to keep patrons safe.
“I am pleased the verdict is in and that it is a No,” Mr Elmes said.