RSA Course Online

Tag: Alcohol Ban

  • Hoteliers Criticise Pokie Player Alcohol Ban in Tasmania

    Hoteliers have criticised the alcohol ban placed on pokie players in Tasmania, dubbing the new restrictions as restrictive and harsh.

    The review of the Responsible Gambling Mandatory Code of Practice for Tasmania came into effect on May 1st.

    Customers in pubs will no longer be served alcohol if they are playing, seated or standing at a pokie machine.

    People playing at casinos cannot be served alcohol between 6pm and close of gambling each day.

    The Hospitality Association said these laws were the harshest in  the country and make it hard for people to gamble in a pub or club.  See more at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-14/alcohol-ban-for-pokies-players-in-tasmania/9658816

  • Alcohol Ban Extended on St Kilda Foreshore

    The alcohol ban on St Kilda foreshore in Melbourne has been extended again by Port Phillip Council, a controversial decision that had councillors arguing that it would rob people of their civil rights.

    The ban is in place until April 3, after Easter as the council decides whether alcohol has an impact on tourism and health in the area.

    The decision to extend the ban came after police and local traders urged the council to implement a permanent alcohol ban in the area, to stop the anti-social behaviour plaguing the area.

    The ban was initially implemented after an out of control Christmas Day party that trashed the foreshore and cost tens of thousands of dollars to clean up. During that clean up, 30 tonnes of rubbish and broken glass was collected.

    Some residents voiced concerns about being banned from enjoying alcohol responsibly on the foreshore. Source: https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/st-kilda-foreshore-alcohol-ban-extended-again-20180207-p4yzmw.html

  • Alcohol Ban on St Kilda Foreshore Necessary Police Say

    Police and local St Kilda traders want the termporary alcohol ban on the foreshore made permanent following the trashing of the area during a wild party on Christmas Day.

    There are calls for the ban to be extended for at least 3 years after the Christmas party that cost $23,000 to clean up. Around 5000 revellers made their way to the area, creating 30 tonnes of garbage including broken glass.

    The alcohol ban would apply to Catani Gardens, Marina Reserve and South Beach Reserve.

    Traders in the area are concerned about safety in the area and the lasting damage done to St Kildas reputation. Read more at https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/police-join-call-for-permanent-st-kilda-foreshore-alcohol-ban-20180204-h0tefx.html

  • FARE pushes for 10pm Alcohol Ban

    Prominent anti-alcohol campaigners, the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) are lobbying for Tasmanian licensed venues to be banned from selling strong alcoholic drinks after 10pm.

    FARE has made a number of recommendations but one of the most notable is the 10pm strong alcohol ban. The group wants licensed venues in the state to stop serving shots, pre-mixed drinks with more than 5 per cent alcohol and mixed drinks with more than 30ml of alcohol after 10pm.

    FARE made the recommendations to a review of Tasmania’s Liquor Licensing Act which included forcing venues to record alcohol sales data, trading hours and attendance numbers and have the data released publicly.

    An article on TheShout.com.au went on to describe some of the other recommendations made by FARE,

    It wants venues forced to have supervisors from 11pm with a sole role of monitoring responsible serving of alcohol practices.

    The laws should also force venues to stop alcohol sales half an hour before closing time, FARE argues.

    The review is likely to lead to changes to licensing laws.

    FARE also wants more challenging requirements for people to obtain and keep liquor licences, and naming and shaming of venues found to have breached responsible service of alcohol requirements.

    Source: http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/2003232/10pm-drinks-ban-push/

    According to the submission made by FARE, stronger controls are needed because alcohol is now more affordable than it has been over the last 3 decades. It is also more available than ever before with alcohol costing as little as 24c for a standard drink in the state. FARE has urged the review to consider these issues relating to low cost, wide availability and the promotion of alcohol. The article went on to explain:

    “Across Australia today, alcohol is more affordable than it has been in over three decades,” the FARE submission said.

    “It is more available than it has ever been and it is more heavily promoted.”

    It said alcohol could be bought in Tasmania for as little as 24c per standard drink.

    “Alcohol has also become more readily available in Tasmania, with the number of liquor outlets increasing by 25 per cent over nine years.”

    “Given the importance of these factors in contributing to alcohol-related harms, it is important that this review considers the price, availability and promotion of alcohol.”

    Source: http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/2003232/10pm-drinks-ban-push/

    To avoid stricter controls being implemented across Tasmania it is important that licensed venues act to prove that these controls are not necessary. The best way to do this is to ensure responsible service of alcohol in venues.

    Licensees need to ensure that they have completed Responsible Service of Alcohol training and that all staff employed within the licensed venue have also done so, whether they are serving alcohol directly or simply clearing tables – everyone from security staff to management and bartenders must be in possession of an RSA certificate if they are employed in a licensed venue.

    The RSA course can be completed quickly, conveniently and easily online. Visit our homepage today for more info.

  • Police Commissioner Calls for Ban on Alcohol Advertising

    There seems to be growing support for the banning of alcohol advertising during live sporting broadcasts in Western Australia.

    The Police Commissioner, Karl O’Callaghan has urged Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to consider banning alcohol advertising during live sporting broadcasts.

    According to Abbott, alcohol advertisements are just as damaging to children as gambling advertisements and betting odds promoted during live sporting events. He is particularly concerned about the impact that alcohol advertisements will have on children who watch AFL, NRL and other popular sporting codes in Oz. He has often in the past condemned the alcohol industry’s campaigns which he believes target youngsters with their themes and appeal.

    This post on TheAustralian.com.au explains:

    Earlier this week, the federal Liberal leader said if he wins government in September he will scrap live betting odds from sports broadcasts unless the television industry takes action first.

    Today, WA’s top cop called on Mr Abbott to also consider alcohol ads in his prohibition, saying children tuning into AFL, NRL and other sporting codes were just as likely to be influenced by ads for beer as betting.

    “He thinks that is a loophole and that it means they (bookmakers) can advertise during G-rated programs for kids – the same actually applies to alcohol,” Mr O’Callaghan said.

    “It is the only time when someone can advertise alcohol at a time of day when kids could be watching.

    “My message to him is to have a look at both things. You have got an opportunity, so do it properly.”

    The WA commissioner has been a vocal critic of alcohol advertisers, regularly issuing official complaints through the Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code (ABAC) scheme, while labelling some advertisers “cunning” and “unethical”.

    He also put his case to police commissioners of every other state at a national meeting in April.

    Mr Abbott said he was ready to put the television industry “on notice” to clamp down on broadcasting live betting odds during sports coverage or face a legislated ban.

    Read more: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/call-for-ban-on-alcohol-ads-in-sport/story-e6frg996-1226638671649

    It seems the police commissioner’s concerns may be warranted as statistics show Aussie youth are drinking from a younger age than they did a few years ago and more teen are engaging in binge drinking than ever before.

    While on this topic one cannot help but recall a recent article in which we discussed a study which provided evidence that young people are encouraged to start drinking by alcohol advertising. The group expressed fears that alcohol advertising and marketing messages are portraying the wrong message to the youth, that alcohol is the way to happiness and success.

    The study for the European Commission found that children in the UK are more exposed to alcohol marketing than even adults are, with 10 to 15-year-olds seeing 10% more alcohol advertising on television than their parents do and 50% more ads for pre-mixed drinks. Perhaps even more concerning is the advertising of alcohol products on social media, which is mostly frequented by young people.

    Debates such as this one highlight even more the need for the enforcement of Responsible Service of Alcohol. It is RSA staff’s responsibility to ensure that people under the age of 18 do not get their hands on alcohol in licenced venues. It is important to ask anyone who looks young for an ID and refuse them alcohol if they cannot provide it.