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Tag: NSW

  • 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.

  • Alcohol Ruining the Lives of Young People in NSW

    New South Wales like many other states is suffering from the effects of excessive drinking on the youth and according to the opposition if the state government does not act soon many more young lives may be ruined by the scourge of excessive alcohol.

    The opposition has called upon the NSW government to “stand up” to the liquor lobby to reduce the amount of drunken violence plaguing the state particularly involving the state’s young people. They have called upon the government to limit the availability of alcohol.

    The following excerpt from an article on Bordermail.com.au explains:

    MORE young lives will be ruined by alcohol-fuelled violence unless the NSW government stands up to the liquor lobby, the opposition has said.

    Labor’s health spokesman Andrew McDonald yesterday said the worst-ever drunken violence in the state could be reduced by restricting alcohol availability.

    “I have spent 40 years working in the health system and I know no one has ever seen such dreadful violence,” Dr McDonald said.

    He laid the blame for the 540 people arrested at the weekend in NSW during Operation Unite, a police crackdown on alcohol-fuelled violence, at the state government’s door.

    “This government does not have the guts to stand up to the liquor lobby,” Dr McDonald said.

    “Until this problem is sorted, these assaults will continue and we will see innocent lives ruined.”

    Read more at: http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/1974692/alcohol-ruining-our-young/

    A particular area of concern in Sydney is the city centre and the Kings Cross district where Labor is calling for 1am lockouts.

    The violence is not however confined to NSW, Queensland has apparently also been the source of high levels of violence fuelled by alcohol as discovered during Operation Unite.

    In the state of Queensland, 430 people were arrested and a police officer was stabbed in the neck at a bar during the operation.

    Victoria showed the greatest improvements in terms of reduction in violence during the Operation with only 76 people being arrested.

    In Sydney an incident on Bondi Beach left one 23 year old man critical in hospital, as the article on Bordermail.com.au points out:

    In Sydney, a 23-year-old man remains in a critical condition in St Vincent’s Hospital after he was punched and stomped on in front of dozens of revellers at Bondi Beach early on Saturday.

    He was one of several young men who were king hit over the weekend, with assaults at Darling Harbour, Kings Cross, Rozelle and the city centre.

    Read more at: http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/1974692/alcohol-ruining-our-young/

    Although police were pleased that the number of people arrested compared to last year was lower, they were dissatisfied with the level of violence which they believed had escalated this year due to the effects of alcohol. One police official, Detective Superintendent Gavin Dengate said,

    “People think they’re seven-foot-tall and bullet-proof, that they can do what they want and get away with it.”

    Medical staff described St Vincent’s Hospital emergency department as a “zoo” on Friday night.

    “You would be mocking the anguish of our nurses or doctors if you talked about reductions in alcohol-related assaults,” hospital spokesman

    Read more at: http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/1974692/alcohol-ruining-our-young/

  • End to Booze Filled Weekend in NSW

    Last weekend was an eye opener for anyone who didn’t know the extent of the alcohol fuelled violence across the country. According to the police who embarked on the country-wide blitz last weekend, a person was arrested every 3 minutes across the state of NSW during the blitz on booze-filled violence.

    Senior NSW detectives involved in the blitz expressed their anger at the outcome of the weekend long operation. 540 People were arrested on the streets of NSW and more than 20 arrests per hour were made.

    The operation included a joint effort between police across the country and as Premier Barry O’Farrell explained, the problem in NSW is severe.

    The following excerpt from www.dailytelegraph.com.au explains:

    Senior NSW detectives said they were angered by the staggering numbers, while Prime Minister Tony Abbott described the issue as “urgent” and Premier Barry O’Farrell insisted the problem was a national one.

    But alcohol policy groups said the responsibility was the state government’s and yesterday called for a summit on the issue of booze and violence.

    In a frightening glimpse of the summer ahead, 540 people were nabbed on the state’s streets over the weekend, with police making more than 20 arrests per hour as part of Operation Unite – aimed at reducing alcohol-related crime across Australia and NZ.

    The weekend confirmed NSW as the Australasian capital of boozy violence, contributing the same number of arrests to the blitz as the combined totals of Queensland (395), Victoria (76), South Australia (46) and Auckland (27).

    Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/alcoholfuelled-violence-on-our-streets-two-nights-of-living-hell-in-nsw/story-fni0cx12-1226783631106

    Violent attacks took place all over the state during the weekend with one man remaining in an induced come after a booze-filled attack near Bondi Beach.

    More than 280 people were arrested on Saturday night into Sunday morning alone and police officers at youth parties were subjected to abuse as youth hurled rocks and beer bottles at them.

    The article went on detail some of the alcohol fuelled issues that occurred in NSW over the weekend blitz,

    In shocking scenes during the early hours of Sunday, a man in his early 30s was bashed and allegedly stomped in a fight with another man outside a Darling Harbour nightclub. He was found unconscious and bleeding by paramedics. The scenes were so disturbing, one distressed bystander had to be treated for an asthma attack.

    In other incidents yesterday, police arrested six men after a scuffle outside a hotel in Oxford St, a man was treated for injuries following an incident in Pitts Rd, a pizza delivery driver was treated after an assault in Balmain, and, in Martin Place, a barman was struck in the head with a bar stool after four men got into a fight

    Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/alcoholfuelled-violence-on-our-streets-two-nights-of-living-hell-in-nsw/story-fni0cx12-1226783631106

    Premier O’Farrell reiterated that Australia has an unacceptable drinking culture which needs to be addressed. Binge drinking and loading is a major problem contributing to the alcohol fuelled violence on our streets.

    RSA servers also need to be aware of the role they play in alcohol fuelled violence. Enforcement of RSA is vital in bringing down the high number of assaults and attacks fuelled by alcohol.

     

  • 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 Update : NSW Laws Expand Pubs Trading

    Online RSA NSW Course recently approved by OLGR NSW!

     

    Available here for only $139 including the $70 OLGR Photocard fee.

    >> Click here for NSW RSA Course online. << According to new legislation in NSW, pubs can now expand trading of non-liquor services after liquor trading hours. The new law came into effect as of 30 March 2012. According to new law pubs and hotel operators can now trade food, entertainment, gambling and other services, even after they have stopped trading liquor.  The new legislation also enables hotels to provide breakfast and other non-gambling services without selling liquor. According to TheShout.com.au:

    NSW pubs have expanded powers for trading under new liquor and gaming laws that recently came into effect. The Clubs, Liquor, and Gaming Machines Legislation Amendment Act 2011 contained a range of reforms, including allowing hoteliers to cease liquor operations during approved trading hours but continue to provide other services. Effective from March 30, food service, entertainment, gambling activities, conferences and non-alcoholic beverages can now be offered without regular liquor trading. The amendment aims to de-couple liquor and gaming, in an attempt to address concerns about players gambling whilst intoxicated.

    Source:http://www.theshout.com.au/2012/04/23/article/Pubs-open-bars-closed-NSW-overhaul/JBUFWLKXCU.html

    The new law aims to separate the service of alcohol from other services such as gambling and also aims to increase the financial profitability of extended hours trading of services. According to The NSW Government  : Office of Liquor, Gambling and Racing:

    A new regulatory framework specifically provides for amalgamated registered clubs to de-amalgamate, or separate, while ensuring the financial viability of the de-amalgamating club is maintained, as well as a high level of transparency for club members.

    Source:http://www.olgr.nsw.gov.au/clubs_liquor_gaming_machine.asp

    While the new reforms allow for hoteliers to trade during hours when alcohol is not allowed to be served, it does not allow them to cease trading alcohol during the standard trading periods. The NSW Government goes on to state:

    Hoteliers can now trade at certain times of the day without the need to sell liquor, while providing other goods and services such as non-alcoholic beverages, food, entertainment, conference facilities, and in certain circumstances, gambling activities.Reforms to the primary purpose test in the Liquor Act 2007 now provide an exemption to the requirement that hoteliers must sell and supply liquor by retail at all times. Hoteliers can diversify their operations without the need for liquor to be available at all times. For example, hoteliers can offer a breakfast service and/or use of facilities for meetings and conferences in the morning without the need to operate a bar supplying alcohol. However, hoteliers cannot cease serving liquor while any type of gambling activity is available during the standard trading period (ie. 5am – midnight Monday to Saturday and 10am – 10pm Sunday) unless approval has been obtained from the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority. When considering an application, the Authority must be satisfied that the operation of gaming machines will not detract unduly from the character of the hotel. It must also be satisfied that gambling activities will be conducted in a responsible manner. The reforms also allow hotels to cease selling liquor and continue to provide other services, including gambling activities, during extended trading periods that have been approved under the liquor laws. Approval from the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority is not required for liquor sales to cease during approved extended trading periods. Extended trading periods generally commence after midnight Monday to Saturday, and after 10pm on Sundays. As well as allowing hoteliers to reduce costs and diversify their operations, the reforms can help to reduce reliance on liquor sales, particularly where there are concerns about patrons gambling under the influence of alcohol.

    Source:http://www.olgr.nsw.gov.au/clubs_liquor_gaming_machine.asp

    In addition to separating the services of gambling and liquor consumption from each other, because one is normally associated with the other, the new law aims to increase profits of businesses because now they can remain open and trade even after midnight when they cease to serve alcohol. The Government also aims to address concerns of people gambling while drunk, which in itself can lead to various other social problems. New laws also place greater responsibility on training providers and carry heavy fines for providers who do not abide by the regulatory framework provided for RSA and RCG training. A fine of $11 000 will be applied for training providers who do not conduct their activities as provisioned by regulations. According to NSW Government Site:

    Training providers are now subject to significant new penalties of up to $11,000 for fraudulent activities relating to the provision of responsible service of alcohol (RSA) or responsible conduct of gambling (RCG) training. The new offences strengthen the regulatory framework for RSA and RCG training in NSW, following an Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry that identified fraudulent and corrupt activity in this, and other, training sectors. Approved training providers now face penalties of up to $11,000 for breaching conditions of approval, or if they issue an interim certificate to a person who has not successfully completed an approved course. These new penalties also apply to non-approved persons who offer to provide training or imply that they are qualified to offer approved RSA or RCG training.

    Source:http://www.olgr.nsw.gov.au/clubs_liquor_gaming_machine.asp

    New legislature also has amendments for Hotel Gaming machine Thresholds, which government hopes will ease hotels permit transfer process. According to the NSW Government Site:

    A hotel’s gaming machine threshold now decreases when transferring poker machine permits from the hotel. Changes to the Gaming Machines Act 2001 better aligns poker machine permit trading with gaming machine entitlement trading.

    Source:http://www.olgr.nsw.gov.au/clubs_liquor_gaming_machine.asp