Queensland to crack down on illegal fireworks after 'Cracker Night'

Cracker Night is part of Territory Day where for 5 hours on July 1 each year anyone in the NT is allowed to detonate fireworks without the need for a licence or specialist training, however travellers often try to bring leftover fireworks into Queensland afterwards.

To prevent this from occurring, Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) conducts Operation Bright Sky at the NT-Qld border following Cracker Night each year to seize illegal fireworks before they make their way into the Queensland community.

RSHQ's Deputy Chief Inspector of Explosives Dr Snezana Bajic says the safety of Queenslander's is paramount.

"Fireworks in untrained hands have led to permanent scarring and blindness in recent years in Queensland," said Dr Bajic.

"In the Northern Territory people have lost limbs and babies have been burnt during Cracker Night.

"We know from their most recent data that last year was a record for injuries so it just goes to show how fireworks can become weapons if not handled correctly or without a licence."

Queensland used to have its own Cracker Night, but it was cancelled when fireworks became illegal to use without a licence in the 1970s.

The maximum penalty for possessing illegal fireworks in Queensland is 6 months imprisonment, or a fine of $66,760, however there is no penalty if illegal fireworks are handed over willingly.

Seized fireworks following Operation Bright Sky will be taken to a secure location and destroyed by RSHQ explosives inspectors.

Previous Operation Bright Sky results:

• 2024: 92kg of fireworks seized or more than 5000 individual items.
• 2023: 45kg of fireworks seized or more than 350 individual items.

ENDS

Media contact

Amy McCann

0457 094 250

media@rshq.qld.gov.au