Across the country there is increasing regulation of the liquor industry on the back of intense media scrutiny surrounding the safety of licensed premises and any harm associated with drinking. Measures include patron bans, glass bans, earlier closing of premises, bans on new licences in inner city areas, freezes of late licences, restricting sales and imposing lockouts.
Western Australia has already experienced its share of these types of measures surrounding the liquor industry. In addition, pressure is being exerted to limit the number of new packaged liquor outlets. Clearly it is now difficult to apply for some categories of special facility licences. The prospect of Extended Trading Permits being granted much after 1am to hotels and taverns in Western Australia is also much diminished.
On the positive side new small bars continue to open and there is a growing community awareness of quality change to the drinking scene.
The next six months or so should be as interesting a time as ever in the industry with anticipated amendments to the legislation and further tightening of licensing authority policies.
If you have any queries about new regulatory measures in Western Australia please do not hesitate to contact Dan Mossenson, Partner, on (08) 9288 6769 / dan.mossenson@lavanlegal.com.au or Jessica Patterson, Senior Associate, on (08) 9288 6946 / jessica.patterson@lavanlegal.com.au.
