Powderfinger Bassist Slams QLD's Restrictions Amidst NRL Grand Final Go-Ahead

Following a series of new updates to Queensland's current series of COVID restrictions, former Powderfinger bassist and local venue owner John 'JC' Collins has slammed the apparent double standards of the rules put in place by the Palaszcuk government.

Collins - who co-owns the iconic Triffid bar and live music venue in Newstead and Fortitude Valley's Fortitude Music Hall - took to Facebook today to share his disdain about the restrictions, which have allowed the NRL grand final to still go ahead with a 75% capacity crowd this weekend.

"It’s difficult to convey how angry I am after listening to Premier Palaszcuk deliver the new restrictions at the press conference this morning," he wrote. "I love my NRL as much as anyone but I’m struggling to understand the science that supports 40,000 people at Suncorp Stadium while the venues that I co-own and manage have again been reduced to 15% capacity."

Collins continued, "reduced capacity that also requires patrons to be seated means that we have had to cancel all of our events for the next two weeks. In reality - these restrictions are the same as a lockdown for the music industry but without the financial support offered during a lockdown. 

"The music industry and music venues have been through hell over the past 19 months - averaging less than 30% capacity. Apart from financial hardship the mental anguish is really taking its toll. We’ve had previous lockdowns with fewer community cases but this government is willing to take a risk for the sake of football - again - while restricting the music venues back to unviable conditions. When will they understand what this does to our industry? It doesn’t seem fair to me."

The post has been shared by a number of local venue's Facebook pages including The Brightside, Black Bear Lodge, and Fortitude Music Hall - and has been shared throughout the site by users over 500 times.

check out the post in full below: