Published Wednesday, 10 September, 2008 at 09:14 PM
Treasurer
The Honourable Andrew Fraser
Historic new liquor laws pass through Parliament
A new permit system for licensed venues trading between midnight and 5am, a crackdown on pubs and clubs which fail to address patron safety and significant fines for adults who supply alcohol to minors are key components of sweeping amendments to the Liquor Act passed through State Parliament tonight.
Treasurer Andrew Fraser said the liquor reforms were part of a determined effort by the Bligh Government to address alcohol-related harm and would come into force later this month.
“From this month fines of up to $6,000 will apply for secondary supply – that is adults who recklessly supply quantities of alcohol to minors,” Mr Fraser said.
“That will not mean the dad or uncle who allows a 17-year-old a beer at the family wedding but it will target those parents and those older friends who knowingly and recklessly supply minors.
“There is no excuse – everyone should now be aware of the very real and very serious ramifications of secondary supply of alcohol and that includes fines ranging up to $6,000.
“This new law is particularly timely as we head toward annual Schoolies celebrations which will be staged around Queensland in two months time.
“Additionally, these new laws reinforce the fact that running a licensed venue and trading after midnight up until 5am is a privilege, not a right.
“The new regime establishes very clear guidelines with new elevated risk permits for those venues throughout the state which trade between midnight and 3am and 3am and 5am.
“Elevated Risk Permits will only be available to venues which demonstrate sound management, responsible service of alcohol and a clear commitment to harm minimisation.
“Additionally, trading before 9am will now be limited only to clubs which can demonstrate a particular community need - for example a pub or club servicing a shift worker population or to those clubs which can demonstrate that their requirement to open relates to their primary purpose, for example golf and bowls clubs.
“The original intent of the Liquor Act was always that early morning trading should always be the exception and not the rule.”
Mr Fraser said in a further effort to enforce compliance and the need for licensed venues to ensure patron safety is a priority, the new licensing system would see the government table in the Parliament an annual report on venues trading beyond midnight.
“The report will name and shame those venues that are not doing the right thing and the government will not hesitate to shut down those venues that demonstrate contempt for their obligations under the Liquor Act.
“The government is determined that those responsibilities will be enforced and we will weed out venues which do not comply with their responsibilities.”
Other reforms include the introduction of mandatory Responsible Service of Alcohol training to all paid employees and a Ministerial power to ban alcohol products which target minors.
Media Contact Chris Taylor 0419 710 874
Treasurer Andrew Fraser said the liquor reforms were part of a determined effort by the Bligh Government to address alcohol-related harm and would come into force later this month.
“From this month fines of up to $6,000 will apply for secondary supply – that is adults who recklessly supply quantities of alcohol to minors,” Mr Fraser said.
“That will not mean the dad or uncle who allows a 17-year-old a beer at the family wedding but it will target those parents and those older friends who knowingly and recklessly supply minors.
“There is no excuse – everyone should now be aware of the very real and very serious ramifications of secondary supply of alcohol and that includes fines ranging up to $6,000.
“This new law is particularly timely as we head toward annual Schoolies celebrations which will be staged around Queensland in two months time.
“Additionally, these new laws reinforce the fact that running a licensed venue and trading after midnight up until 5am is a privilege, not a right.
“The new regime establishes very clear guidelines with new elevated risk permits for those venues throughout the state which trade between midnight and 3am and 3am and 5am.
“Elevated Risk Permits will only be available to venues which demonstrate sound management, responsible service of alcohol and a clear commitment to harm minimisation.
“Additionally, trading before 9am will now be limited only to clubs which can demonstrate a particular community need - for example a pub or club servicing a shift worker population or to those clubs which can demonstrate that their requirement to open relates to their primary purpose, for example golf and bowls clubs.
“The original intent of the Liquor Act was always that early morning trading should always be the exception and not the rule.”
Mr Fraser said in a further effort to enforce compliance and the need for licensed venues to ensure patron safety is a priority, the new licensing system would see the government table in the Parliament an annual report on venues trading beyond midnight.
“The report will name and shame those venues that are not doing the right thing and the government will not hesitate to shut down those venues that demonstrate contempt for their obligations under the Liquor Act.
“The government is determined that those responsibilities will be enforced and we will weed out venues which do not comply with their responsibilities.”
Other reforms include the introduction of mandatory Responsible Service of Alcohol training to all paid employees and a Ministerial power to ban alcohol products which target minors.
Media Contact Chris Taylor 0419 710 874