RSA Course Online

Tag: RSA Australia

  • Adjustments to Beer and Spirit Excise

    Responsible Service of Alcohol staff should be aware of changes to the beer and spirit excise which has been announced by the federal government recently.

    The federal government announced over the weekend that its’ half yearly increase on duty rates for alcoholic excisable goods would include an increase in beer and spirit excise as well as ready to drink products.

    An article on the hospitality website www.theshout.com.au detailed more about the excise hike:

    The latest data on the consumer price indices for the December Quarter 2013 reveals that new rates of duty on beer and spirits increase the price of full-strength beer by 29 cents per case, light beer by 11 cents per case and a 700ml bottle of spirits by 38 cents.

    A case of ready-to-drink products will also see a hike in price, increasing by 66 cents.

    Source: http://www.theshout.com.au/2014/02/05/article/Government-lifts-beer-spirits-excise/MFAPKJXDXZ.html

    The article on TheShout.com.au also went on to quote the Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia’s spokesman, Stephen Riden who explained more about the impact of the excise hike on the consumer,

    The Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia’s (DSICA) information and research manager Stephen Riden said that the distilled spirits consumer was paying more tax on their drink of choice.

    “The latest excise hike sees a standard 700ml bottle of whiskey pay just under $22 in alcohol tax alone, before adding GST or any other costs,” Riden told TheShout. 

    “And as usual, the distilled spirits consumer is being treated inequitably over those drinking beers and wines.”

    Source: http://www.theshout.com.au/2014/02/05/article/Government-lifts-beer-spirits-excise/MFAPKJXDXZ.html

    One of the reasons for the hikes is the level to which people in Oz are binge drinking and abusing alcohol. While most people are drinking responsibly and moderately, those who have developed a culture of binge drinking are doing so more frequently and dangerously.

    It is important that as RSA staff we can easily recognise these alcohol abusers and binge drinkers so as to avoid serving them more alcohol than is necessary – this is a vital part of our RSA duties.

    Denying service to unduly intoxicated patrons is one of the cardinal rules of alcohol service and failure to do so may result in fines and further misconduct by these drunken patrons, either within the venue and/or on the streets of our entertainment districts.

    To learn more about Responsible Service of Alcohol legislation and your duty of care as a server of alcohol, you must complete formal RSA training.

    According to federal law people in the hospitality industry who work in venues where alcohol is sold, must be in possession of a RSA certificate. However this need not be a long, complicated and tedious process involving face-to-face training, RSA training is most commonly completed online, obviously because of the convenience of doing so but also because it is makes economic sense (online training costs a fraction of traditional training).

    To learn more about the RSA course or to register, please visit our homepage today or contact us for more information.

     

  • Fears that Non-violent Venues Unfairly Penalised by New Laws

    I recently came across an article on Smh.com.au which discussed the so-called ‘epidemic’ of alcohol fuelled misconduct and assaults in particular. The writer of the post questioned the validity of calling the problem an epidemic, providing statistics from an independent report into the 5 year statutory review of liquor laws.

    According to the report there were significant reductions in the following areas:

    ”on licensed premises (-28 per cent); alcohol-related assaults on police (-35 per cent); alcohol-related domestic assaults (-12 per cent); alcohol-related non-domestic assaults (-28 per cent); and hospital emergency department attendance rates for acute alcohol problems (-9 per cent) between 2008 and 2012”.

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/comment/sydney-liquor-laws-a-blunt-instrument-that-misses-the-mark-20140201-31trx.html#ixzz2sRJNO0Ai

    Much of the fuss surrounding alcohol fuelled issues is related to cowardly one-punch incidents such as the one that resulted in the death of Daniel Christie on New Year’s Eve. Not too long ago another teen lost his life after being assaulted in Kings Cross, Thomas Kelly. These 2 deaths certainly indicated a serious problem which needed attention but many believe that Barry O’Farrell’s tough new laws will not achieve this.

    Many people believe that the measures are penalising responsible drinkers along with the problematic ones.

    The writer of the article on Smh.com.au detailed the side effects of implementing the new measures such as the lockouts and last drinks calls. Certain musical genres thrive only after dark and these musicians as well as their fans will be negatively affected and unfairly so.

    The article goes on to detail some of the other “injustices” of the measures:

    There seems an injustice that a venue supporting late-night entertainment, which has worked hard to keep its liquor licence without a mark to its name, should face the same fate as those venues proven to attract and service the violent and unsociable characters responsible for this debate.

    It is quite clear that there is a disconnect between young people and those changing the laws.

    Simon Caldwell has worked as a DJ for 20 years and has become somewhat of an icon of Sydney’s electronic music scene.

    Caldwell states the obvious fact that people want to go out and they don’t want to have to go home at either one or three in the morning. And should they have to?

    (Read more about the writer’s opinion here: http://www.smh.com.au/comment/sydney-liquor-laws-a-blunt-instrument-that-misses-the-mark-20140201-31trx.html#ixzz2sRJNO0Ai)

    There are also concerns that Barangaroo and The Star are being exempted from the laws which many see as unfair.

    Perhaps one of the most extreme of the measures implemented is the laws that tackle alcohol-fuelled crime, including a mandatory minimum sentence of eight years in jail for fatal “one-punch” assaults where drug or alcohol use is a factor.

    Also venues in the Sydney City precinct will be subject to a 1:30am lockout and a 3am last drinks call. Bottle stores across the state also didn’t escape the reach of the new laws and are now forced to shut their doors at 10pm.

     

  • Alcohol Fuelled Violence seems to be spreading from Melbourne CBD

    According to new statistics, Melbourne’s CBD is has become the worst place for assaults and violent crimes and it seems to be spreading quickly.

    According to reports the number of assaults has begun to rise outside of Melbourne, with Geelong being one of the most violent areas. According to the statistics violence is no longer concentrated within the Melbourne CBD but has spread to surrounding areas such as Geelong.

    Melbourne’s CBD has been dubbed the “states biggest assault hotspot” but this violence is spreading to other areas more quickly.

    The following excerpt from an article on www.heraldsun.com.au explains more:

    As police look for ways to tackle alcohol-fuelled king hits, new analysis of crime statistics reveal Melbourne had 2741 reported assaults last year.

    But while assaults in the CBD have only increased by 1 per cent in the past year, the rate of violence has started surging outside of Melbourne.

    Geelong has become increasingly violent with a jump in assaults of 28 per cent since 2003, to 1848 reported cases.

    Whittlesea is also on the rise with a 19 per cent increase in assaults – 1453 last year. Wyndham’s assault rate has increased 20 per cent to 1227.

    Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/scourge-of-violence-spreads-from-melbournes-cbd/story-fni0fee2-1226799718151

    The article goes on to explain that according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare the number of victims of alcohol-related physical abuse rose from 4.5 per cent in 2007 to 8.1 per cent in 2010. Statistics show that alcohol related hospitalisations cost the country up to $36 billion every year.

    In Victoria on the whole, alcohol related hospitalisations have increased by 74 per cent since 2001. That accounted for more than 30,000 hospitalisations in 2010. According to the article other states have reported a similar situation.

    According to licensees, they are doing their best to work in cooperation with police to curb problematic alcoholic behaviour but others have blamed the high density of liquor stores for some of the surge in violence. The article on www.heraldsun.com.au explains:

    Pubs and clubs say they are working with police to curb ­bad behaviour.

    “Violence in and around licensed premises are at the lowest levels in 15 years – this is thanks to the co-operation between hoteliers and police,” said AHA director of policing John Green.

    Gino Vumbaca, executive director of the Australian National Council on Drugs, blames the increasing number of suburban liquor stores for the increased violence.

    “There are three causes of problems – price, availability and promotion. Now when you go out to get a haircut, you can now buy cheap liquor as well,” he said.

    Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/scourge-of-violence-spreads-from-melbournes-cbd/story-fni0fee2-1226799718151

    According to one government spokesman an increase in police recruitment and tougher penalties for drunken behaviour or breaches of liquor licenses were some of the strategies used to combat this problematic culture and stop the spread of violence.

    Despite these efforts, according to the article on HeraldSun.com.au the “assault hotspots for Victoria 2012-2013” include:

    Melbourne: 2741

    Casey: 2225

    Hume: 1900

    Greater Dandenong: 1859

    Greater Geelong: 1848

    Brimbank: 1791

    La Trobe: 1617

    Frankston: 1522

    Whittlesea: 1453

    Wyndham: 1227

    Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/scourge-of-violence-spreads-from-melbournes-cbd/story-fni0fee2-1226799718151

  • Researchers want Community Defender Office to help Fight Bars and Alcohol Shops

    According to a group made up of medical and research groups established in NSW to review alcohol fuelled misconduct and its impact on communities, a community defender’s office is called for in order to protect residents and communities from alcohol fuelled problems stemming from “unwanted” bars and pubs in the area.

    A community defender’s office should be established under the liquor law so that residents, schools and hospitals can fight a flood of unwanted bars and bottle shops, an alliance of medical and research groups claim.

    According to an article on Smh.com.au the number of active liquor licences in NSW increased by 13 per cent between 2008 and 2011. Councils across Sydney complain that the community is locked out of decision-making and does not have the resources to fight applications from companies with money and resources at their disposal.

    The following excerpt from www.Smh.com.au explains further:

    The NSW Alcohol Policy Alliance, which includes the NSW Police Association, Australian Medical Association and hospital and surgeon groups, has called for a defender’s office to be funded through the introduction of annual licence fees for pubs and clubs.

    A report to be released on Thursday at a forum at NSW Parliament has found the community impact statements lodged by liquor licence applicants are often misleading while spot checks by the regulator have revealed many pubs and hotels don’t tell communities – giving them no chance to object.

    A community defender’s office would notify communities of a new licence application, help prepare affidavits and gather data needed to challenge a new licence under complex rules.

    ”NSW communities are demanding a say in liquor licensing decisions but are increasingly frustrated at being locked out by a process that is unfairly weighted in favour of the alcohol industry,” said Michael Thorn, chief executive of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education.

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/push-for-help-fighting-bars-bottle-shops-20131019-2vtja.html#ixzz2iKdVFFSl

    As one member of the community, Kandy Tagg explained, liquor licences arent the problem but the concern is that more big bars bring more drinking, more violence and noise and subsequently more disruption for the community.

    The Fairfield City Council explained that it is extremely difficult for the community to challenge a licence proposal because they often dont have the means to do so and sometimes they arent even aware of the applications.

    It is important that in areas where there is a high density of bars, pubs and licenced premises that Responsible service of alcohol regulations are strictly adhered to because often it is the only defence against the alcohol fuelled problems that communities are so fearful of.

    The post on Smh.com.au goes on to explain:

    Applicants were only required to provide the location of nearby schools, churches and hospitals, not the views of these groups. The only way a community discovered an application had been lodged was if they happened to see an A4 piece of paper stuck on a building, she said.

    Manly Council uses its planning powers to alert community groups if a development application for a new pub or restaurant is received. Any objections go to an independent panel. Cr Griffin said the NSW government should adopt the same approach for liquor licences.

    Residents on Thursday took objections to a restaurant Justin Hemmes plans to open on the Manly wharf to an independent hearing. It ruled the project could proceed but must address noise and environmental concerns.

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/push-for-help-fighting-bars-bottle-shops-20131019-2vtja.html#ixzz2iKdVFFSl

     

     

  • Club Forced to Close due to RSA Breaches

    The consequences of breaching Responsible Service of Alcohol laws have been demonstrated by an incident which took place at the Wagga Wagga Boat Club at Lake Albert.

    Police say they were forced to shut down the club after they discovered more than 200 licensing breaches relating to responsible alcohol service during a single inspection.

    The police’s discovery was made during a raid on the weekend which was part of Operation Unite. The operation is a joint effort by police across Oz and NZ to crackdown on alcohol related criminal behaviour.

    The following excerpt explains what happened:

    The Club at Lake Albert was raided on Saturday night during Operation Unite – a crackdown on alcohol related crime and anti-social behaviour.

    In a statement, police say the breaches of the liquor law were discovered during a single inspection.

    The club was immediately closed and directed by the officers to cease trading.

    The Crime Manager of the Wagga Wagga Local Area Command Inspector Darren Cloake says the breaches relate to the number of days the club is alleged to have operated without properly accredited management.

    Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-16/police-close-wagga-boat-club/5158908?&section=news

    It is important that other licensees recognise how crucial it is for all employees including those who are not directly serving alcohol to be in possession of a Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate. Management and security staff working in a licenced venue must also complete the training and keep proof that they have done so on the premises so that when authorities request it, it is available. Even temporarily employed staff must complete this course, not only those permanently employed.

    The boat club involved in this incident had employed a temporary manager without ensuring that he had completed RSA training, the authorities take this type of offence very seriously, as Inspector Cloake explains:

    “The club has currently employed a temporary manager and that manager doesn’t hold a current RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) or RG (Responsible Conduct of Gambling) certificate, therefore the club’s been operating without the necessary authority,” he said.

    “The person’s been operating for approximately 44 days. Those offences relate to the sale and supply of alcohol. Basically for the 44 days, each day that they’ve been operating is an offence.”

    Inspector Cloake says police will follow up on the closure order tomorrow.

    No-one from the Boat Club’s been available for comment, but ABC News understands officials are working to reopen the facility as soon as possible.

    Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-16/police-close-wagga-boat-club/5158908?&section=news

    It is surprising that people in the alcohol service industry choose to neglect the importance of the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate, despite it being so easy to obtain. Perhaps some of the reason why people operate illegally and fail to obtain their RSA certificate is that they are misinformed about how to complete the RSA course and aren’t aware of how simple a process it can be.

    The course can be completed easily and conveniently online from the comfort of your home or office. The online course is also much more cost effective than traditional forms of training in a classroom, so RSA staff and management have no excuse not to obtain their RSA certificate.

  • Sydney Panel to make Suggestions on State’s Nightlife

    Sydney will hopefully become less violence infested since the foundation of a panel to make suggestions on issues affecting Sydney’s nightlife has been announced.

    The jury of more than 40 citizens is going to be empanelled with the task of tackling the issue of alcohol fuelled violence plaguing Sydney’s streets.

    The panel is a joint effort, initiated by The Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation, the City of Sydney, the NSW government and the independent newDemocracy Foundation.The group will be composed of 43 randomly selected citizens of Sydney who are not affiliated with any parties, lobbyists or interest groups. Members of the panel will be asked to compile at least 5 recommendations to help make Sydney’s night life safer and less violence prone.

    The initiative is being championed by someone who has been directly affected Sydney’s violent night life, Ralph Kelly, the father of teenager Thomas Kelly.

    Thomas Kelly was slain in the notorious Kings Cross District last year when he decided to visit the area for the first time.

    An article on www.TheAustralian.com.au explains,

    Ralph Kelly, the father of Thomas Kelly who died after being king hit at Kings Cross in July last year, said the panel would hopefully cut through self-interest and conflicting views.

    “I hadn’t appreciated just how politically complex this issue is,” Mr Kelly, who founded the Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation, said on Tuesday.

    “I just want a jury of people to really look at what is happening and for there to be a sensible and informed conversation which government listens to.

    “We don’t know what the outcome will be, but I think a citizens’ jury is a way to get beyond the simple back-and-forth between lobbies which goes nowhere.”

    Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/sydneysiders-set-to-form-jury-on-alcohol/story-fn3dxiwe-1226720885641

    The primary sponsors of the initiative are the City of Sydney and the NSW government and will cost the state more than $132,000.

    The call for jury members will be issued to a group of randomly selected Sydney residents from a selected sample of 20,000. The jury will also be made up of university and TAFE students to ensure that the 18-24 year old demographic is adequately represented.

    Discussions will begin early next year and will include 6 face-to-face meetings where members of the panel will be asked to come up with set recommendations to reduce Sydney’s nightlife violence that could be attached and accomplished in a set timeframe.

    Various interest groups will be allowed to voice their opinions to the jury who will make the ultimate decisions. These decisions will then be taken, as is to parliament.  The article on www.TheAustralian.com.au goes on to explain:

    Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said expert groups, interest groups, community groups and lobbyists will be invited to make their case, but the extent of their role will be in the hands of the jury.

    NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell has agreed the recommendations of the jury will be taken to parliament unaltered, she said.

    Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/sydneysiders-set-to-form-jury-on-alcohol/story-fn3dxiwe-1226720885641

  • Why so many road crashes are caused by Alcohol

    It seems that drink driving is one of those problems that is universal, no matter where you go in the world you will probably find drink drivers, in some places the problem may be worse than in others.

    Recently in New Zealand a woman was killed in an early morning crash which left another 3 people injured. We seldom hear of people drink driving in the early morning unless they are still on a buzz from the night before. It is not known whether the driver involved in this incident was intoxicated from the night before or began drinking early in the morning, the accident took place in Auckland around 5:30am.

    The vehicle was apparently travelling quite slowly at below 50km per hour but passengers weren’t wearing seatbelts and the driver may have been intoxicated which is what is suspected to have caused the crash and resulted in a fatality.

    The accident happened when the vehicle carrying 4 people collided with another vehicle before smashing into a power pole. The driver of the vehicle, a 20 year old woman died and the other occupants of the vehicle were injured. The second car’s occupant was not injured.

    The occupants of the first vehicle were trapped and had to be freed from the wreckage by firefighters. The injured were taken to Auckland Hospital for treatment. The article on Fullyloaded.com.au goes on to explain,

    However, speed may not have been a factor, as police told 3News it was believed the car was not travelling at more than 50 km/h.

    Police will investigate whether alcohol was involved, with toxicology tests due to be taken during a post-mortem tomorrow.

    Bottles of alcohol were found inside the vehicle, Senior Sergeant Matt Knowsley said.

    “Whether that alcohol was actually involved in the operating of the vehicle we don’t know. We’re trying to firm it up.”

    Mr Knowsley said police suspected the occupants of the crashed car were not wearing seatbelts.

    A number of people witnessed the crash, who were being interviewed by police.

    “It’s not a nice thing to see on a Sunday morning, or at any time, for that matter,” Mr Knowsley said.

    Police were in the process of formally identifying the deceased woman and notifying her next of kin.

    “The message here is, as with most accidents, they are avoidable,” Senior Sergeant Logan Christian said.

    Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11135642

    As this incident proves, intoxicated drivers do not need to be travelling over the speed limit to get into or cause a crash. This vehicle was travelling below the speed limit when it crashed and even cars travelling at moderate speeds can be involved in fatal accidents. This is a warning to all drivers about the dangers of drink driving and a reminder to RSA staff to ensure that customers who are intoxicated are not allowed to get behind the wheel. If you notice that they are intoxicated ask them if you can assist by calling a cab or a friend for them.

  • WA Police Commissioner says Parents giving Alcohol to Kids are like Drug Dealers

    The Police Commissioner of Western Australia has labelled parents who provide alcohol to their underage kids as being like drug dealers.

    Karl O’Callaghan, the WA Police Commissioner said at a school in Perth that parents who supply alcohol to minors are like drug dealers, the controversial statement was made while launching “Ocsober”. Now more than ever parents need to openly discuss alcohol and related issues with their children because alcohol harm associated with young people is higher than its even been. In fact alcohol has been named as the leading cause of teenage deaths in Australia.

    Ocsober is a fundraising initiative which is aimed at tackling youth drinking issues by encouraging young people to abstain from alcohol for the month of October, hopefully addressing these problematic issues and saving lives.

    The Commissioner made the statement while speaking to year 6 students at the Ocsober launch. The Commissioner also reiterated that alcohol continues to be the most abused drug in Western Australia.

    According to an article on Abc.net.au he went on to explain:

    “If alcohol is a drug, then let me tell you that your parents are the primary dealers of that drug because we know from research that most teenagers in Western

    Australia get their alcohol from their parents,” he said.

    “Their parents give it to them without knowing the impact it has on their brains and without knowing the impact it has on their bodies.

    “And, if we want to make a difference to binge drinking, we have to start with educating kids and parents.”

    Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-16/commissioner-likens-parents-who-give-alcohol-to-kids-27drug-de/4961080

    Donations for Ocsober will go towards continuing Life Education’s alcohol and drug awareness programs which run throughout WA’s primary schools.

    Mr O’Callaghan has also renewed his call on federal authorities to ban alcohol advertising during televised sports broadcasts because of the number of children that are exposed to it during these times.

    The post went on to quote O’Callaghan:

    “All of these kids are able to watch the footy final [this weekend] and all of these kids will be able to watch alcohol advertising during live sport because alcohol advertising is permitted during live sport in Australia,” he said.

    “If you’re going to change the culture, you’ve got to change the messages you send to our kids, and when I asked how many of these kids were going to watch the football on the weekend, all of them without exception put their hands up.”

    “I don’t think we’ve got any hope of changing the culture with these young people, unless we’re prepared to limit their exposure to messages about alcohol.”

    Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-16/commissioner-likens-parents-who-give-alcohol-to-kids-27drug-de/4961080

    With all the attention and effort being put into this Ocsober initiative and others trying to educate teens about drinking it is important that RSA do not undo all the good work done.

    Anyone serving alcohol needs to ensure that they never serve alcohol to an underage person. The best way of ensuring this is asking everyone for an ID if they look young (under 23) and ensure that if they cannot prove their age, you refuse them alcohol.

  • NSW Fines low but Drivers still drink driving

    Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/04/3056724.htm?site=sydney

    A police officer issues a breathalyser test to a passing motorist

    Despite the best efforts of police, the number of drink drivers in NSW is still alarmingly high and authorities are concerned.

    Dubbo police have expressed their disappointment over catching drivers with high levels of alcohol in their blood.

    On an article on www.DailyLiberal.com.au the Orana Local Area Command duty officer, Inspector Bran Johnston was quoted as saying that during the 3 day operation dubbed “Drink Drive 2” thousands of drivers were issued breathalyser tests. 2829 drivers were subjected to the random breath tests and of those 2 drivers were charged.

    One of the drivers charged was a 37 year old Dubbo woman who was charged with a mid-range PCA (prescribed contents of alcohol). She was caught in a roadside test late on Thursday.

    The 2nd person charged on Thursday evening was a 26 year old man who was charged with driving while disqualified, driving an uninsured vehicle which was also unregistered. The man’s licence was suspended until 2035.

    The following day a 26 year old Vic man was charged with a mid-range PCA offence.

    The article went on to quote Inspector Johnston as saying,

    “It’s disappointing people will still drink and drive,” Inspector Johnston said.

    “But if they do we will continue to charge them,” he said.

    Across the state, police charged nearly 200 people during the three-day operation targeting drink driving after carrying out more than 150,000 breath tests on drivers across the state.

    Source: http://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/1901222/fines-low-but-nsw-cops-still-critical-of-drivers/?cs=112

    During the operation 2 Wagga Wagga drivers were also apprehended. The Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner John Hartley explained that the majority of drivers on NSW roads are doing the right thing but there are a few who refuse to heed the warnings of police. These perpetrators will be caught and will be forced to face the consequences.

    The Assistant Commissioner Hartley raised an important point, it only takes one driver to drink too much and get behind the wheel a vehicle for innocent lives to be lost, one drink driver or driving offence is one too many.

    The article on DailyLiberal.com.au goes on to state some of the offences committed which police detected during the operation,

    About 3.30am on Sunday, a 17-year-old female learner driver was stopped on Trail Street at Wagga Wagga.

    She was driving without her headlights on and had three teenage passengers who were not wearing seatbelts.

    Police also stopped a 35-year-old man in Bourke Street, Turvey Park near Wagga Wagga.

    The man allegedly stopped short of a random breath test site and turned his headlights off. He returned a breath analysis of 0.106.

    His car was found to be unregistered.

    At 5.20pm on Saturday police from Gundagai Highway Patrol detected an 18-year-old Punchbowl man driving north along the Hume Highway at Mundarlo at 144km/h.

    The p-plater has been charged with driving in excess of 45km/h over the speed limit and had his licence suspended.

    Source: http://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/1901222/fines-low-but-nsw-cops-still-critical-of-drivers/?cs=112

  • Kings Cross Hotels Resist Trial to Reduce Alcohol Violence

    According to an article on Smh.com.au Kings Cross hoteliers are pushing to restrict the introduction of a new system of identity scanners in their venues which is required under a state government initiative to curb alcohol fuelled violence after the tragic murder of Thomas Kelly in the district last year.

    The identity scanners are supposed to be trialled over a 12 month period which is set to begin in large pubs and nightclubs in Kings Cross in time for the peak summer trading period.

    Kings Cross licensees want the system to be restricted to Friday and Saturday nights.

    The system involves patrons being required to have photo ID scanned before entering a venue, this it is hoped will prevent patrons who are thrown out or denied access to club to immediately enter another.

    Part of the licensee’s objection is that the scanners are to be paid for by the venues. They will also be used to enforce bans that could be imposed on customers from entering Kings Cross venues for 48 hours or up to a year under the new laws which are currently before the NSW Parliament.

    Smh.com.au stated this about the trial,

    The trial will apply to all late-trading Kings Cross venues with a capacity of more than 120 people but the hotels association is understood to be arguing it should apply only to venues with a history of violence.

    The industry is believed to be warning that any broader application – such as extending the use of scanners to other weekdays and the daytime – risks driving away business.

    Publicans are also concerned about costs associated with staffing the scanners with security guards. They say the responsibility for complying with bans should rest with the individual, not the hotels.

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/hotels-resist-trial-aiming-to-cut-alcohol-violence-20130913-2tq90.html#ixzz2fB7thhfT

    The Kings Cross trial was prompted by the success of the voluntary introduction of scanners by 5 venues in Newcastle. The article on www.smh.com.au went on to explain:

    Hospitality Minister George Souris confirmed that he and relevant government agencies ”had met with the Kings Cross Precinct Liquor Accord and Australian Hotels Association to discuss issues relating to the introduction of ID scanners”.

    However, he said a bill before Parliament did not specify the hours and days of operation, despite the request by the Kings Cross Liquor Accord.

    ”The matter remains under active consideration,” he said.

    The chief executive of the NSW branch of the AHA, Paul Nicolaou, said the association met with the government, police and regulators ”to discuss alcohol-related street violence in Kings Cross – we are keen to ensure any measures adopted are targeted, appropriate and evidence-based.”

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/hotels-resist-trial-aiming-to-cut-alcohol-violence-20130913-2tq90.html#ixzz2fB7thhfT

    According to this system, those who breach or attempt to breach a 48 hour banning order may be liable to a maximum penalty of $5500 or a $550 fine. Those who breach or attempt to breach a long term banning order, the maximum penalty is also $5500 or a $2200 fine.