By James Atkinson
A risk-based liquor licensing framework is believed to be one of the key measures to address street violence that is up for discussion at a New South Wales Cabinet meeting today.
Risk-based licensing fees were mooted by NSW Labor late last year in its policy on reducing alcohol-related harm and again in the five-year statutory review of the State's liquor laws, released by Michael Foggo in December.
NSW Labor said the licensing structure that would provide a “clear financial incentive” for hotels and bottle shops to comply with the law and implement measures that reduce alcohol-related violence.
“Any additional revenue generated from the new licensing system will be used to fund proactive policies to address alcohol-related harm, including more police, CCTV and transport in our entertainment precincts, as well as education campaigns,” the policy said.
Under such a scheme venues in trouble precincts and those with extended trading hours or a record of assaults would be required to pay higher fees.
West Australian pubs and bottleshops last week slammed a similar recommendation to make venues pay higher liquor licence fees if they are larger than 200 square metres.
Alcohol and drug testing for the perpetrators of assaults, a policy that is widely backed by the liquor industry, is also understood to be on today’s agenda in NSW.
l am amazed how alcohol is blamed by government for the poor behaviour of young people. Interestingly over the last 20 years our school system has been dumbed down, made politically correct; feelings over discipline is the new imperative. Well folks the chicken has now come back to roost…overlay this with the concept of no personal responsibility for ones actions ( as it’s always some else to blame), then mix it with a cocktail of violent computer games and viola you wake up to a problem. Bravo to political correctness!
pubs and clubs are not the money making ventures they used to be …
To impose another cost ie.licensing cost to a lot of small country hotels will be the “death nail”..
It is high time the individual took responsibility for their own actions,testing for all substances that may induce violence..eg alcohol,roids and speed etc..
police need to be given stronger powers and the courts need to impose stricter penalties..They do it in New York and over New Year when over 2 million people were on the streets ,we saw no mindless violence , aggression etc and alcohol is available every where in their shops,drug-stores etc..
a lot of the violence happening is being caused through “fuelling up”on copious amounts of alcohol before setting off to venues and the cocktail of drugs young ones so readily take..
I have been a publican for 35 years ,personally,I agree with reduction of hours and lets be real who needs to be serving triple shots etc..
If hours of trade were reduced, the young ones would come to the venues earlier, perhaps have a meal and responsible service will monitor the consumption of alcohol unlike what is happening now a free for all of whatever they can get there hands on that’s cheap and before you know it things are way out of control..
WE practise this and have very few problems and have a pretty good pub..Same pub for 36 years!!and close at MID NIGHT..