By James Atkinson
Two Victorian publicans have been forced to undertake licensee compliance training following instances of drunkenness and underage drinking on their premises.
Licensing inspectors requested that Strykhamm Pty Ltd and its owners Stephen Keen and Barry Barclay be disqualified from holding a liquor licence as a result of the repeated breaches at their pub, the Commonwealth Hotel in Orbost, East Gippsland.
The inspectors alleged that on more than one occasion they had been abused by Barclay while carrying out their enforcement activities on the premises.
But rather than banning the duo, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) imposed conditions on their licence requiring increased crowd controller numbers during high-risk times, and the installation of CCTV, as well as a midnight lockout.
"The Commission is satisfied that these conditions will address the current patron management deficiencies and improve patron behaviour at, and outside, the venue," the VCGLR said.
The regulator also required Barclay and Keen to give an undertaking that they would complete licensee compliance training delivered by Franklyn Scholar Hospitality.
Barclay was required to give an undertaking that he would not "obstruct, hinder, threaten, abuse or intimidate an authorised person".