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Tag: Liquor Laws

  • New Alcohol Laws come into effect in WA

    The new liquor licensing laws introduced by Western Australia’s government has come into effect. The government believes the laws will significantly impact the hospitality landscape in the state.

    The Liquor Control Amendment Bill 2018 aims to build on the legislation that prompted the expansion of Perth’s small bar scene, creating jobs and supporting local businesses.

    According to the state’s premier Mark McGowan the legislation strikes the right balance between community health and safety and a hospitality culture that promotes tourism.

    So far this year more than 100 new licensed venues opened in the state, attributed to the government’s support for the industry.

    The new legislation reduces regulatory burdens on licensees and laws are liberalised to give the state’s consumers and tourists more choice.

    One of the changes is that patrons are allowed to now take home partially consumed wine from a small bar or tavern if they don’t finish the whole bottle – previously this only applied to restaurants.

    Another amendment is the streamlining of licensing arrangements for existing, established, local licensees to cater at temporary and pop-up bars at short-term events such as micro-festivals.

    A post on TheShout.com.au highlighted some of the other amendments to the legislation that came into effect,

    • Restaurants with the capacity for 120 people or less will no longer need to apply for a separate permit to serve liquor without a meal – they will simply ‘opt in’ when they first apply for their licence;

    • Ongoing hours Extended Trading Permits (ETPs) will be valid for up to 10 years – increased from five years, cutting burden and cost for licensees;

    • Spirit producers will be able to trade in the same manner as wine and beer producers – authorising the sale of liquor for consumption on and off the licensed premises;

    • Clubs in WA will be allowed to accept genuine tourists/visitors – fees will apply to visitors; and

    • Discretion by the licensing authority to consider low-risk applications without having regard to the public interest assessment requirements.

    Source: https://www.theshout.com.au/news/was-new-liquor-laws-set-to-begin/

    The new laws were welcomed by the Australian Hotels Association (WA) CEO Bradley Woods saying its important that the state’s laws change with the industry and not inhibit it.

    “The recent passage of the Liquor Control Act Amendment Bill represents the most substantial modernisation of the state’s liquor laws in a decade.

    “It is critical that the laws governing liquor licensing, consumption and trade on licensed premises are in line with community expectations, help facilitate businesses to grow and do not unnecessarily restrict patrons or licensees. The reforms which commence on Saturday deliver on these objectives.

    “The AHA(WA) is proud to have played an important role on behalf of our members in lobbying Government on the need for change and we are pleased to have achieved the overwhelming majority of what we set out to accomplish.

    Source: https://www.theshout.com.au/news/was-new-liquor-laws-set-to-begin/

    He also said his organisation was proud of the role it played in lobbying government on behalf of its members which had contributed to these changes.

  • Here’s what SA’s New Liquor Laws Mean

    The SA state government have released its response to the review of liquor laws.

    As part of a major shake-up of the state’s liquor laws, pubs and clubs that break the law will face tougher penalties. There are also fewer restrictions on selling alcohol on public holidays.

    Small bar licences will not yet be allowed to expand outside the CBD and sale of alcohol in supermarkets rules will also not change.

    For more go to: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/what-sas-new-liquor-laws-mean-to-you-state-government-releases-response-to-review-of-liquor-laws/news-story/26f23959d1435bb0901c608b693585bc

  • Last Drinks in Queensland Coming into Effect

    So Queensland’s last drinks law is already in full swing and Queensland’s pubs, clubs and bars will be obligated to stop serving alcohol from 2am.

    The only venues exempt are those in a designated ‘safe night’ precinct. This the majority of the state’s entertainment districts – where alcohol can be served until 3am.

    Also in all venues, the sale or service of rapid intoxication drinks will end at midnight, these include shots, shooters, bombs, blasters, test tubes and jelly shots as well as drinks that contain more than 45ml of spirits or liqueur or pre-mixed drinks containing more than 5% alcohol/ 2 standard drinks.

    Source: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/last-drinks-in-queensland-coming-from-july-1-20160625-gprsma.html

  • NSW Government Releases Fact Sheet for Licensees

    The New South Wales Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR) recently released a fact sheet for liquor licensees detailing the reforms which were passed by Parliament last week Friday. The changes were implemented so swiftly in a large part due to the mounting pressure the government was receiving from the public to act to reduce violence in Sydney’s night life districts.

    The Liquor Amendment Bill 2014 was passed by the NSW Parliament last week amidst strong opposition from licensees and the legal fraternity. The amended laws will introduce a host of measures that are aimed at improving safety in Sydney’s entertainment district by tackling alcohol and drug fuelled violence.

    Although the government has been criticised for moving so swiftly in implementing the new measures, the OLGR said “preparation and consultation is underway to ensure its effective implementation” to allow the industry enough time to adjust the way it does business to incorporate the new measures and establish appropriate changes to its practices and procedures.

    The most notable changes that will apply once the legislation commences includes:

    No take-away liquor after 10pm anywhere in NSW;

    Suspension of the trial of online RSA training;

    The creation of a new Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct;

    “Lock-outs” at 1.30am and “Last drinks” at 3am for some venues in the Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct and the Kings Cross Precinct;

    A freeze on new liquor licences in the Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct;

    Temporary and Long-term banning order provisions in the Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct; and

    Suspension or revocation of an RSA competency card or disqualification of a person from holding an RSA competency card, for staff in the Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct.

    Source: http://www.theshout.com.au/2014/02/03/article/NSW-liquor-laws-Fact-sheet-for-licensees/EQXWLIBZWY.html

    The strict new measures targeting drug and alcohol fuelled violence will officially begin on February 24th 2014 – giving licensees little time to adapt, many of which say their business will suffer severe negative financial implications which may not allow their businesses to survive. Others welcomed the new measures which they believed would help attract the right customers and keep the wrong element out of their venues.

    Some of the other measures to implemented include an annual risk-based licensing fee scheme for liquor licenses and additional special licence conditions on venues in the district as determined as the article on TheShout.com.au goes on to explain

    Development of a plan of management for the Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct, which will impose additional special licence conditions on venues in the Precinct

    An annual risk-based licensing fee scheme for liquor licences.

    Source: http://www.theshout.com.au/2014/02/03/article/NSW-liquor-laws-Fact-sheet-for-licensees/EQXWLIBZWY.html

    The OLGR said it will continue to notify affected liquor licensees and other key stakeholders of developments, including the commencement date of each of the reforms.

    In the meantime night time revellers can expect 1.30am alcohol lockouts and 3am last drinks while the whole of NSW will have a ban on takeaway alcohol after 10pm as of the 24th of this month.

  • Liquor and Gaming Laws in NSW under Review

    The government of New South Wales have called for public submissions on liquor and gaming laws under review. A government official recently announced that the review would report on the public consultation process.

    The review will be tabled in parliament late this year and will assess whether the liquor laws introduced in 2008 are effective at the moment, including consideration of whether increased penalties, new offences, expanded regulatory powers etc. are continuously effective.

    TheShout.com.au reported on the NSW liquor and gaming law review:

    The New South Wales Government has called for public submissions as part of five-year statutory reviews of the Liquor Act 2007 and the Gaming and Liquor Administration Act 2007.

    Minister for Hospitality George Souris on Friday said the review will report on the public consultation process and is to be tabled in Parliament by December 13 this year.

    “The new liquor laws introduced in July 2008 represented the biggest change in quarter of a century and this review will go a long way to assessing their effectiveness,” he said.

    Source: http://www.theshout.com.au/2013/07/10/article/NSW-reviewing-liquor-and-gaming-laws/STMPZOPGGY.html

    The post went on to describe the changes that were made to the laws in 2008 aimed at reducing alcohol harm among the community including the establishment of a liquor licensing body to replace the previous system which was court-based. The post goes on to explain:

    “Those changes included increased penalties, new offences, expanded regulatory powers, a Community Impact Statement process for liquor licence applications and establishment of an administrative-based liquor licensing body to replace the previous court-based system.”

    Souris said the review will be led by Michael Foggo, a lawyer and Commissioner of the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing for three years before retiring from that position four years ago.

    Source: http://www.theshout.com.au/2013/07/10/article/NSW-reviewing-liquor-and-gaming-laws/STMPZOPGGY.html

    The review which will take its course over the next 5 years attempts to ensure that the policy objectives and terms of the legislation are still as valid today as they were when they were implemented and allow the community to voice their opinions on relevant issues.

    The post on TheShout.com.au goes onto explain:

    Submissions should be sent via email to [email protected] or sent to:

    Statutory Reviews

    Policy & Strategy, NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing

    GPO Box 7060

    SYDNEY NSW 2001

    The final date for submissions is August 30, 2013.

    Source: http://www.theshout.com.au/2013/07/10/article/NSW-reviewing-liquor-and-gaming-laws/STMPZOPGGY.html

    While the laws governing liquor and gaming may change, one aspect which is unlikely to change is Responsible Service of Alcohol laws.

    RSA law dictates that every worker in a licenced venue needs to undergo specific RSA training to enable them to serve alcohol according to liquor laws in their state. The basic rules of RSA include not serving alcohol to anyone under the legal drinking age- 18 and not serving alcohol to unduly intoxicated patrons.

    Workers already in the industry who have not yet undergone this training or others wishing to enter the industry can register and complete the course online from the comfort and convenience of their home. Simply visit our homepage for more information on how to register.

     

  • Responsible Service of Alcohol News: Fears that New Supermarket Liquor Laws Threaten Queensland’s Pubs

    Concerns have been raised by a hotel advisory firm, PJT Accountants that new laws under consideration by the Queensland Government may severely negatively impact the hotel industry. Under these new laws, grocery stores would be able to sell alcohol – a move which the firm fears will affect the hotel industry.

    Speaking to theShout.com.au a partner at the firm, Wayne Patten detailed how he had met with Attorney General, Jarrod Bleije who has responsibility for the state’s liquor and gaming portfolio, raising with him concerns for hotels.

    This year the Newman Government released a discussion paper which requested input on the future of Queensland’s liquor and gaming laws and one of the issues tabled was whether alcohol should be sold in supermarkets.

    This is what the article on TheShout.com.au reported on the interview with Patten:

    Patten said grocery operators such as Aldi and IGA claim to be unfairly discriminated against by not being able to sell alcohol in a similar way to mega chains Coles and Woolworths.

    He said he explained to Bleije that in order to obtain this competitive advantage, Coles and Woolworths were required to purchase a local hotel to obtain the necessary liquor licence, an astute move overlooked by smaller operators and a significant investment which saw positive growth in business valuations throughout the industry.

    “These businesses have committed hundreds of thousands of dollars into purchasing and setting up detached bottleshops, and in the process employing thousands of Queenslanders,” he said.

    Patten, who previously owned a pub himself and still represents many hoteliers through PJT’s specialist hotels division, said many Queensland hotels are currently “hanging on by a thread”.

    “In some cases bank valuations are just 50 per cent of the value they enjoyed just four to five years ago when the industry was booming,” he said.

    “Many hoteliers are committed to long-term leases, negotiated when the market was buoyant. In this much tougher market, margins are thin but the lease outgoings remain constant.”

    Source: http://www.theshout.com.au/2013/05/13/article/Liquor-in-supermarkets-threatens-Queensland-pubs/YCPGKQDUBD.html

    Patten went on to explain that his firm’s belief was that the valuations of hotels were going to severely decline as a result of supermarkets being able to sell alcohol, an opinion which he says is shared  by leading banks and bank panel valuers. This is because as grocery stores begin to sell alcohol, there would be a reduction in bottleshops sales which will ultimately translate to a reduction in profits and therefore lessen the value of the hotel, according to Patten and his firm.

    Another important aspect to consider is the impact increased alcohol sales will have on the community. In order to minimise the damage done because of alcohol abuse and binge drinking, it is important anyone involved with the sale of alcohol undergo Responsible Service of Alcohol training.

    RSA training is a mandatory requirement for staff of licenced venues and if grocery stores do begin to sell alcohol, staff should undergo the training in order to minimise the impact on the community by learning how to serve alcohol in a responsible manner.