thedrifter
01-23-06, 07:36 PM
US Navy scouting Aussie brothels
By Cameron Atfield and Tonya Turner
24-01-2006
From: The Courier-Mail
ADVANCE teams of American military police have scoured Brisbane brothels and adult entertainment venues in the lead-up to the USS Ronald Reagan's arrival.
The giant aircraft carrier with about 6000 crew on board cruised into its Brisbane River mooring yesterday, a signal for venues across the city to call all hands on deck for an expected influx of sailors eager to spend up big while on leave.
Queensland Adult Business Association spokesman Nick Inskip, who owns the Purely Blue brothel at Bowen Hills, said military police had visited venues across Brisbane to scout for any potential problems and provide contact details if there was any trouble.
Not that Brisbane brothels were expecting any problems with their American visitors.
"I'll have to be honest and tell you that the fellows are fantastic customers, they are so well-mannered," Mr Inskip said.
"The ladies like them because they're so respectful.
"They're very aware that they're representing their country, and that's why they behave so well."
But Mr Inskip said legal brothels in Brisbane were not as well placed to cash in on the demand as they might have liked.
"We're not allowed to put more staff on, because we're only allowed to have five workers at a time," he said.
"In Queensland, the only (brothels) who will really benefit financially are the illegals."
Outside of the brothels, Mr Inskip said he expected the city's strip clubs and adult shops would do a roaring trade.
But it's not just the adult industry welcoming the Ronald Reagan, with some of Brisbane's biggest pubs prepared for a busy trading period.
Irish Murphy's venue manager Lynda Minns said extra staff and alcohol had been brought in to accommodate the influx.
"Apart from the casino we're their first port of call. It makes for quite a big week for us," she said.
"The staff love it because the venue is just chock-a-block the whole time and it's a really good buzz and atmosphere."
Ms Minns said profits doubled, if not tripled, during visits by the US Navy. And so did the local female clientele.
"They are such a benefit to the local economy," she said.
"It's just phenomenal the amount of expenditure that comes in directly from them."
Brisbane Marketing said the Ronald Reagan crew would inject $9 million into the local economy during this five-day visit, averaging $1500 each crew member.
The US consulate and Tourism Queensland estimated a more modest $5 million.
US consulate spokeswoman Rhylla Morgan said there was more to the trip than Brisbane's nightlife, with Australia among "the most exciting" destinations for American forces.
"They're pretty excited about going to the beach and having a beer and going to see koalas at the Australia Zoo and doing all the stuff holiday-goers do in Brisbane," she said.
Wynnum police district superintendent Tony Rand said a joint taskforce with the US Navy and military police would monitor the sailors' behaviour.
"Usually they're pretty well behaved because there's a very strong deterrent in their own military police," he said.
"I find Americans are fairly well organised in terms of tours and entertainment, and there are strict curfews that are enforced."
Supt Rand said police would be involved in large security operation around the Brisbane River mouth for the duration of the Ronald Reagan's stay.
That included traffic restrictions around Fisherman Islands, which will be limited to essential vehicle movements only.
Police said there would be a heightened police presence in the area that would enforce a no-stopping rule on Port of Brisbane Drive, with offending vehicles to be towed away.
The port channel would be closed to all shipping movements during the aircraft carrier's visit.
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said he hoped Brisbane businesses and residents would extend a warm welcome to the crew.
Ellie
:eek:
By Cameron Atfield and Tonya Turner
24-01-2006
From: The Courier-Mail
ADVANCE teams of American military police have scoured Brisbane brothels and adult entertainment venues in the lead-up to the USS Ronald Reagan's arrival.
The giant aircraft carrier with about 6000 crew on board cruised into its Brisbane River mooring yesterday, a signal for venues across the city to call all hands on deck for an expected influx of sailors eager to spend up big while on leave.
Queensland Adult Business Association spokesman Nick Inskip, who owns the Purely Blue brothel at Bowen Hills, said military police had visited venues across Brisbane to scout for any potential problems and provide contact details if there was any trouble.
Not that Brisbane brothels were expecting any problems with their American visitors.
"I'll have to be honest and tell you that the fellows are fantastic customers, they are so well-mannered," Mr Inskip said.
"The ladies like them because they're so respectful.
"They're very aware that they're representing their country, and that's why they behave so well."
But Mr Inskip said legal brothels in Brisbane were not as well placed to cash in on the demand as they might have liked.
"We're not allowed to put more staff on, because we're only allowed to have five workers at a time," he said.
"In Queensland, the only (brothels) who will really benefit financially are the illegals."
Outside of the brothels, Mr Inskip said he expected the city's strip clubs and adult shops would do a roaring trade.
But it's not just the adult industry welcoming the Ronald Reagan, with some of Brisbane's biggest pubs prepared for a busy trading period.
Irish Murphy's venue manager Lynda Minns said extra staff and alcohol had been brought in to accommodate the influx.
"Apart from the casino we're their first port of call. It makes for quite a big week for us," she said.
"The staff love it because the venue is just chock-a-block the whole time and it's a really good buzz and atmosphere."
Ms Minns said profits doubled, if not tripled, during visits by the US Navy. And so did the local female clientele.
"They are such a benefit to the local economy," she said.
"It's just phenomenal the amount of expenditure that comes in directly from them."
Brisbane Marketing said the Ronald Reagan crew would inject $9 million into the local economy during this five-day visit, averaging $1500 each crew member.
The US consulate and Tourism Queensland estimated a more modest $5 million.
US consulate spokeswoman Rhylla Morgan said there was more to the trip than Brisbane's nightlife, with Australia among "the most exciting" destinations for American forces.
"They're pretty excited about going to the beach and having a beer and going to see koalas at the Australia Zoo and doing all the stuff holiday-goers do in Brisbane," she said.
Wynnum police district superintendent Tony Rand said a joint taskforce with the US Navy and military police would monitor the sailors' behaviour.
"Usually they're pretty well behaved because there's a very strong deterrent in their own military police," he said.
"I find Americans are fairly well organised in terms of tours and entertainment, and there are strict curfews that are enforced."
Supt Rand said police would be involved in large security operation around the Brisbane River mouth for the duration of the Ronald Reagan's stay.
That included traffic restrictions around Fisherman Islands, which will be limited to essential vehicle movements only.
Police said there would be a heightened police presence in the area that would enforce a no-stopping rule on Port of Brisbane Drive, with offending vehicles to be towed away.
The port channel would be closed to all shipping movements during the aircraft carrier's visit.
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said he hoped Brisbane businesses and residents would extend a warm welcome to the crew.
Ellie
:eek: