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Tag: Liquor Licence

  • New WA Law to Slash Cops Booze Powers

    In Western Australian, the Police Commissioner has the power to intervene in liquor licence applications if he believes granting the application would contribute to crime and violence – these are the laws the state government is considering amending, which would take away these powers from the police commissioner.

    Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan has intervened in 535 applications between 2011 and 2012 but under the proposed amendment to the Liquor Control Act, the commissioner would only be able to intervene about the licensee or applicant being a fit and proper person, or if the Director of Liquor Licensing requested a report.

    While the proposed amendments were welcomed by some groups, others weren’t as welcoming. A selected number of groups have been issued a discussion paper for comment, however it has not been publicly released.

  • Violence Doesn’t Justify Retailer Regulation

    In an article on TheShout.com.au, the president of the Liquor Stores Association New South Wales, David Reberger expresses his belief that the regulation of liquor retailers is unjustified based on the arguent that it would reduce alcohol-related violence.

    Mr Reberger was speaking recently at the LSA NSW Panel where he stated his support for efforts to reduce alcohol-related violence but said there wasn’t any evidence to support the greater liquor retailer regulation.

    He went on to state:

    “LSA NSW does not believe that there is justification for any regulation of liquor retailers based on an argument that it would reduce alcohol-fuelled violence,” 

    “The evidence is simply not there to support it. However the retail liquor industry, like the broader community supports a targeted approach from Police and greater penalties for anyone who goes out and inflicts harm on others. Our industry strongly supported the removal of consumption of alcohol beverages as an excuse for criminal and anti-social behaviour in NSW.”

    Source: http://www.theshout.com.au/2016/05/16/article/Violence-should-not-mean-retailer-regulation/PYHDPBFDJS.html

    He also highlighted the concern that non-alcohol related domestic violence is continuing to rise but alcohol related domestic assault in on the decline, indicating that alcohol is not to blame.

    Mr Reberger went on to state,

    “In addition, arrests for amphetamine-related offences, as well as cocaine and other narcotics are all on the rise. 

    “We commend the actions of NSW Police in rolling out Mobile Drug Testing. This action is a clear acknowledgement of the potential harms and risks associated with the increasing abuse of illicit drugs in our society.”

    Source: http://www.theshout.com.au/2016/05/16/article/Violence-should-not-mean-retailer-regulation/PYHDPBFDJS.html

    Mr Reberger also detailed that of the 200 strikes that have been issued in the 3 strike system, only 12 have  been issued to packaged liquor licence venues.

    He also spoke about the state’s laws requiring liquor stores to close at 10pm, saying it is unnecessary given that customers are mature adults that can make their own responsible decisions.

    “As attested by the remarkably few packaged venues on the ‘three strikes’ list, our industry is favourably viewed for knowing our customers and doing the right thing by the communities we serve. We also think our customers are mature adults who weren’t doing anything wrong by being able to make a purchase after 10pm. And the evidence supports this.

    Source: http://www.theshout.com.au/2016/05/16/article/Violence-should-not-mean-retailer-regulation/PYHDPBFDJS.html

    He explained that evidence provided by BOCSAR proves that the 10pm forced closure measure for packaged liquor sales did not move the trend line at all from the previous decline, so it is unwarranted.

    Reberger and the LSA welcomed the new Liquor & Gaming NSW regulator reforms to develop a new fit-for-purpose regulator to bridge the regulatory gap and eliminate stakeholder confusion between ILGA and OLGA.  It is also hoped to streamline the existing processes and improve service delivery in government.

     

  • Liquor Licence Requests Being Rejected due to Alcohol Fuelled Violence


    Need for Responsible Alcohol Service

     

    Fear that new licensed venues may contribute to the increase in alcohol fuelled crime has resulted in the rejection of a liquor licence for Griffith’s proposed BWS store. The Woolworths owned business has been denied a liquor licence to operate in the area because the community is concerned that another licenced venue will result in an increase in the crime already plaguing the area.

     

    The community of Griffiths apparently has a high rate of domestic violence which research has linked to alcohol. The number of liquor outlets in the area is thought to be contributing directly to these.

     

    The main issue affecting the area seems to be the large number of alcohol abuse cases that bring with them devastating side effects that have an impact on the community.

     

    This issue highlights the need for responsible alcohol service in communities across Oz. Although it is the law and is meant to decrease the amount of alcohol fuelled violence and crimes we see, the large number of incidents indicates that there are venues and alcohol servers that are not doing their legal duties when serving alcohol to their patrons.

     

    Bartenders, bouncers, alcohol shop attendants and shop keepers and anyone who sells or serves alcohol to the public is required by law to undergo responsible service of alcohol training. Part of this training involves learning who not to serve alcohol to, including unduly intoxicated patrons and how to recognise these people.

     

    Either the alcohol service industry is not undergoing this mandatory training or they are not implementing what they have learnt. Either way they are legally responsible for the repercussions of their actions. Should servers ignore the warning signs that a person is unduly intoxicated and serve them more alcohol, that patron could resort to alcohol fuelled violence or other irresponsible behaviour, for which the server will be held partly responsible.

     

    Brawls, assaults, robberies and other violent crimes are being committed by customers who are over intoxicated. Unduly intoxicated patrons have also been identified as a contributor to the drink driving crashes we see on our roads because drunk drivers have the false confidence to drive while drunk, endangering not only their own lives but the lives of other innocent road users in the process.

     

    Recognising the signs of intoxication is central to an alcohol servers job and they should be on lookout for signs of intoxication (As well as other things such as legal drinking age) when serving alcohol to customers.

     

    Luckily, intoxication presents itself in a number of visible ways and most people, even those not trained in Responsible Service of Alcohol, can recognise the most common signs. These includes slurred speech, swaying and bumping into things, inability to walk, rowdiness, anger, aggression even violence.  In a crowded and noisy bar, however, these could be difficult to notice. Servers should also keep an eye out for previously timid patrons who become aggressive or vice versa, a social person who becomes withdrawn or a quiet person who becomes overtly friendly.