Queensland's polarising mandatory ID scanning laws have caused significant embarrassment for the state after Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark was turned away from Brisbane's Jade Buddha Bar & Kitchen for not having correct identification.
As ABC reports, the prince was in Brisbane as part of a visit for the present Hamilton Island Race Week event, and was denied entry to the Eagle Street eatery by security on Saturday night, while on the town in the lead-up to the regatta.
Under the Liquor Act 1992, all patrons at venues operating within designated Safe Night Precincts, including the Brisbane CBD, must produce identification to be allowed entry or re-entry after 10pm.
However, with the assistance of seven police officers from the "dignitary protection unit" (as well as a Google search and a phone call with liquor licensing officials), Crown Prince Frederik — best known to average Australians as husband to Tasmania-born Crown Princess Mary — was ultimately let in without photo ID.
Despite the fact this sets an obvious precedent — one that almost certainly wouldn't apply to an average punter who'd forgotten their licence — Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath says the episode demonstrated that "the licensed venue applied the law equally … as with anyone else visiting our venues".
"The fact is this has not caused a diplomatic incident, as some would have you believe," she said.
"I suspect most Queenslanders would be pleased to know that the laws are applied to everyone."
Venue co-owner Phillip Hogan told the ABC that the incident seemed "very irregular, given the law is we have to scan people".
"We're dealing with it all the time with normal people without ID, and if you're not someone like Prince Frederik, you don't hear about it," he said.
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