THE State Government is embarking on a secret plan to lift the 3am lockout in Queensland's most violent entertainment precinct by Christmas.

Attorney-General Paul Lucas has written to Premier Anna Bligh proposing its removal in Fortitude Valley for three months this summer, prompting concerns it is tantamount "to removing shark nets at tourist beaches during the peak holiday season".

Ms Bligh said this afternoon that no decision had been made on whether to temporarily lift the lockout.

``There is a proposal for us to consider, we will look at it carefully before rushing to a decision, we’ll look at it in the light of police start up and other information as well as talking to some of the local welfare agencies,’’ she said.

``The research on the lockouts has got pretty mixed results. What we’ll be doing is having a good look at this as a cabinet.’’

Ms Bligh said there were arguments for and against lifting the ban, which she described as a ``complex social issue’’.

``There is no single, silver bullet magic solution. In every community, in every state, in every society, these things are a matter of trial and error and given what we’re seeing in the drink-safe precincts, a real improvement in local safety, there may be some merit in doing this and we’ll give it full consideration.

``We’ve seen more than 1400 people either charged with an offence, moved out of the area or in fact subject to a court order preventing them from being in any of these places so we are seeing the drink safe precincts work.’’

Mr Lucas's letter, which was obtained by The Courier-Mail, shows Mr Lucas and Police Minister Neil Roberts are hoping to rush through the reform in a bid to learn how effective the lockout has been.

"Although all Australian jurisdictions except the ACT have implemented lockouts, Queensland is the only jurisdiction which has implemented a mandatory (legislated) lockout requirement," Mr Lucas said in the letter dated September 16.

"Research into the effectiveness of lockouts in reducing alcohol-related violence has been undertaken ... with inconclusive findings.

"It is proposed to undertake a limited short-term trial to remove the lockout requirement in the Fortitude Valley Drink Safe Precinct for a period of three months during the summer holiday season, to better inform the policy development and review process."

The 3am lockout, which is mandatory for all late-night venues, was started in 2006 and prevents entry and re-entry of patrons.

The Queensland Police Union said it was a "last gasp act of desperation to win votes" at the expense of people's safety and that of frontline emergency workers.

"This will lead to more assaults and they will be even more serious," union president Ian Leavers said.

"Every parent should be worried now when their son or daughter goes out on a Friday or Saturday night to the Valley that they will be much more likely to become a victim of violence."

Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital maxillofacial surgeon Dr Anthony Lynham said the proposal to remove the lockout over Christmas was "madness" as it was their "busiest time of year".

He said the hospital had already treated 300 assault victims this year and almost two-thirds were alcohol-related.

Licensees outside the Valley say it is a double standard, claiming the Government shows favouritism towards the Valley which was also excluded when it named and shamed Queensland's most violent venues.

"If the Government was considering giving this reprieve, in all fairness it should be statewide," Cabarets Queensland chairman Sarosh Mehta said.

Premier Anna Bligh yesterday ruled out a reduction in closing times, saying the 12-month, $4.2 million trial of DrinkSafe precincts also at Surfers Paradise and Townsville should be allowed to finish before a review of trading hours was considered.

Queensland leader of the Australian Party Aidan McLindon said Valley police were "completely under resourced."

"I'm glad it's back on the agenda. The reality is going around in the Valley, a precinct now where you've got 50-60,000 revellers with a limited capacity of some 30 police that's one police officer per 2000 people," he told 4BC radio.

"Being a father now I wouldn't be too keen on my daughter hanging out in the early hours in the Valley."

He said the idea of scrapping the lockout was a "concern" but wouldn't necessarily help reduce alcohol-fuelled violence.

"Of course that is a concern At the same time you look at the bigger picture and if you shut the clubs an hour or two earlier it just means some of these people will start the party an hour or two earlier," the Beaudesert MP said.

"Things are getting a bit out of hand and I think the ALP and LNP have got to state their position, they can't turn a blind eye to this one.

"I think in some respects it's (alcohol related violence) pretty reflective of where we are as a society. We've turned into a pretty self-centred society and a pretty selfish one and that doesn't bring any happiness - now it's all about getting completely smashed and plastered."

Originally published as Plan to end Fortitude Valley lockout