The Hodgman Liberal Government has today tabled the Liquor Licencing Amendment Bill 2015 to help build a sustainable Tasmanian economy, create jobs and make our State a better place to live, work and invest.
We are currently seeing record levels of people visiting Tasmania with more than a million interstate and international visitors coming to our shores and spending almost $1.9 billion.
A vibrant and dynamic hospitality industry is key to ensuring visitors have a positive experience while also promoting our world-class produce.
The Hospitality Industry is our fifth largest employer with nearly 20,000 employees and it is important that we have a contemporary and fit-for-purpose Liquor Licensing Act to support this vital sector.
The Bill tabled today is part of our commitment to the Tasmanian people under our 365 Day Plan. We have consulted widely to ensure the Act better reflects current community needs and strikes the right balance between regulating the sale of alcohol, harm minimisation and developing the hospitality industry in the best interests of the community.
The Bill amends the Liquor Licensing Act 1990 to align it more clearly with the Tasmanian Alcohol Action Framework, provide administrative efficiencies and greater transparency across the licensing and permit process, improve flexibility and effectiveness in compliance and enforcement, strengthen consumer responsibilities and provide greater clarity to industry, the regulatory bodies and Tasmania Police.
Some of the key amendments include;
• Providing a mechanism to define “best interests of the community” and other terms that are currently not defined, in order to provide greater direction to the regulatory bodies;
• Providing the Commissioner with the discretionary power to apply a “fit and proper” test to permit applicants to bring them into line with the application process for a liquor licence;
• Providing power to the Commissioner to prohibit or restrict irresponsible advertising and promotion of alcohol in venues, such as promotions that encourage high levels of consumption over short time periods;
• Allows the Commissioner to impose conditions on licences and permits to increase the capacity and flexibility to address alcohol-related issues as they arise;
• Implementing barring orders – by amending the Act to enable Tasmania Police and licensees to issue barring orders that are for longer than 24 hours, capped at six months and to broaden the area to which a barring order can apply to include the immediate vicinity of the venue within the first six hours of the barring including multi-venue or designated area barring orders where there is a strong public interest justification.
This Bill is about ensuring that Tasmania’s hospitality and tourism sector can continue to operate and grow in a contemporary legislative framework while making sure that the framework for minimising harm that can arise from the misuse of alcohol is robust and effective.
Peter Gutwein, Treasurer
