Cracker night sparks warning over state border checks

Laine Clark | June 29, 2023

Celebrations in the Northern Territory are set to go off with a bang.

But Queensland authorities are hoping for a real fizzer, warning anyone tempted to bring fireworks into the state after the NT’s big day.

Fireworks will be targeted at random border checks in a bid to stop the contraband coming into Queensland after Saturday’s Territory Day, affectionately known as Cracker Night.

“For one day a year Territorians are permitted to buy and use fireworks to celebrate Territory Day but unfortunately many of these fireworks are brought into Queensland illegally,” Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart said.

Fireworks have become synonymous with Territory Day which recognises the day the NT was granted self governance in 1978.

Territorians will be permitted to set them off during a five-hour period from 6pm.

But people have been bringing them across the border after the festivities.

Queensland authorities seized almost 520kg of illegal fireworks in 2022, with more than 80 per cent “likely from the Northern Territory”.

Fireworks have been banned in Queensland since 1972. They can only be used by licensed people at authorised events.

“Fireworks …can become unstable with age, improper handling and storage – they can be quite dangerous,” independent regulator Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ)’s Snezana Bajic said.

“Our inspectors see the tragic aftermath of fireworks misuse first hand such as children with third degree burns, horses injured by running terrified into fences and fire-damaged property.”

Police and RSHQ officers will conduct random stops on vehicles coming into Queensland at the border after Saturday to check for contraband.

Anyone caught with fireworks risk fines of up to $57,000 or six months in jail, Mr Stewart said.