Released 11/05/2017
Reforms to the ACT’s liquor legislation to reduce red tape for licensed businesses and improve the vibrancy of Canberra’s nightlife precincts have been passed by the Legislative Assembly today.
Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay said the Liquor Amendment Bill 2017 decreased unnecessary regulation for existing and prospective licensees and promoted a safe and fun nightlife.
“We want a night out in Canberra to be fun and safe; and we want to help our hospitality industry grow and be able to do more interesting things. That’s what these reforms will do,” Mr Ramsay said.
“The ACT Government recognises that regulating the sale of alcohol to keep our community safe is important,” Mr Ramsay said.
“However, we also recognise that the ACT’s hospitality industry makes a substantial contribution to employment and growth in our economy, as well as to the vibrancy of our city.
“This Bill prioritises reforms that support businesses and increase the diversity and vitality of Canberra for locals and visitors.”
A key reform included in the Bill will allow licensees to trade outside their usual licensed hours for up to six special events each year.
“These authorisations will let licensees sell alcohol outside their usual licensed hours in order to host special events – for example, a bar may wish to stay open later to televise the FIFA World Cup or to run an event associated with the Multicultural Festival,” Mr Ramsay said.
“I am confident that this will encourage venues to host interesting special events, which will create new and exciting entertainment options and increase the diversity of Canberra’s nightlife scene.
The Bill also introduces perpetual liquor licences, which will mean that licensees will no longer have to renew their liquor licences every one or three years. This will save licensees time by significantly reducing the burden of paperwork they face.
Perpetual licences will remain in force unless surrendered, suspended or cancelled.
“The current licence renewal process creates unnecessary red tape without providing the community with a corresponding harm reduction benefit,” Mr Ramsay said.
The Bill also includes reforms aimed at creating a safer environment in the city’s nightlife precincts.
For example, the Bill will give licensees a statutory power to evict or refuse entry to intoxicated, violent or disorderly patrons and it will be an offence for these patrons to re-enter the premises or to remain in the vicinity of the licensed premises.
“The ability of licensees to refuse entry or evict people from their venues helps provide a safe and responsible drinking environment for patrons and staff within licensed premises,” Mr Ramsay said.
The Bill will introduce a number of other new harm reduction reforms, including:
- amending the definition of ‘intoxicated’ in the Act to include intoxication arising from drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol;
- clarifying the Commissioner for Fair Trading’s power to impose a licence conditions, including requiring the licensee to fit security cameras at or around a licensed venue;
- extending the Attorney-General’s power to declare prohibited alcohol products, which will allow restriction of the sale and consumption of potentially harmful products.
The safety measures introduced by the Bill will be supported by the ACT Government’s commitment to fund six additional police officers for night time patrols.
“The reforms in the Bill will both improve community safety and ensure a diverse and vibrant nightlife in our ‘cool little capital’,” Mr Ramsay said.
- Statement ends -
Gordon Ramsay, MLA | Media Releases