Page 966 - Week 03 - Thursday, 23 March 2017
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Other amendments to the liquor legislation made by the bill are directed at promoting a diverse and vibrant hospitality sector. They include an amendment to allow an on-premise licensee to have six extended trading authorisations per year. These authorisations would allow licensees to trade outside their usual licensed hours for special events; for example, visiting bands and DJs, local festivals and televised international sporting matches. This is likely to encourage venues to host special events, which will contribute to the vibrancy and diversity of the ACT’s nightlife. The bill accommodates caterers within the licensing structure by recognising that their businesses involve the service of food and alcohol at a wide range of locations, not fixed licensed premises.
The government has announced that, in addition to these measures to support diversity in the hospitality sector, it will also be reducing liquor licensing fees for smaller, low-risk venues such as those with lower occupancy levels and earlier closing times.
The bill makes a large number of amendments aimed at reducing unnecessary red tape and improving business efficiency for licensees and staff. For example, the bill will make amendments to the Liquor Act to recognise interstate responsible service of alcohol qualifications. This will remove the unnecessary time and the financial burden currently placed on hospitality employees who have RSA qualifications in other jurisdictions to retake RSA training in the ACT. This amendment will also make it easier for interstate wine and beer producers to attend one-off events held in the ACT.
The bill also introduces the ability for licensees to be issued with perpetual liquor licences. Currently the Commissioner for Fair Trading may issue only one-year or three-year licences. This means that licensees are regularly required to complete and submit time-consuming licence renewal applications. Perpetual licences will instead remain in force unless surrendered, suspended or cancelled. Licensees with perpetual licences will continue to pay an annual fee in accordance with the relevant fee instrument, noting that licensees also have the option of paying their licence fees quarterly. Perpetual licences already exist in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
The bill also amends the Liquor Act to ensure that hair salons that provide customers with a glass of champagne during an appointment or florists who sell a gift pack comprising flowers, chocolates and wine are not treated like a large pub or a bottle shop and required to go through liquor licensing processes. Similarly, the bill amends the act to clarify that other businesses such as hospitals and retirement villages that provide patients and residents with a glass of wine with dinner are not required to obtain a liquor licence.
The bill creates an exemption in relation to the supply of alcohol within a traveller accommodation unit; for example, the minibar or room service of a hotel. This means that the supply of these services within the hotel room or other accommodation is not limited to the licensed times of the relevant hotel or other accommodation business. All service conducted from a public bar of the accommodation provider will continue to be subject to licensed times and other licence conditions.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video