The Western Australia Government has become the latest to adapt its liquor licensing laws so that taverns, bars and restaurants can now supply take-away alcohol.
The Australian Hotels Association WA (AHA WA) welcomed the move, with CEO Bradley Woods saying venues were trying hard to navigate the unprecedented challenges that have arisen as a result of COVID-19 and it was important that they are provided with support to continue to trade in whatever capacity they can.
“We welcome the State Government confirming our previous advice that licensed venues without a dedicated bottle shop who would ordinarily be able to sell take-away liquor can continue to do so from within the venue.”
“We also welcome the lifeline that the State Government has provided to WA’s licensed venues which will allow many to remain open and save jobs.”
“The AHA continues with work with State and Federal Governments to ensure that WA’s hospitality industry is provided with comprehensive support and practical assistance to survive this crisis.”
Allowed trade includes:
- Hotels/taverns with bottleshops – Open to sell take-away and delivery with restricted quantities
- Hotels/taverns with no bottleshops but who are ordinarily allowed to sell take-away over the bar – Open to sell take-away and delivery with restricted quantities
- Restricted taverns/hotels, small bars, restaurants and some special facility licenses who are not ordinarily allowed to sell take-away – Open to sell take-away and delivery alcohol with a meal, with additional restricted quantities (see below).
As TheShout reported last week, WA has restricted take-away alcohol sales to:
Per customer, per day:
- One carton of beer, cider or pre-mixed spirits; or
- Three bottles of wine; or
- One litre of spirits; or
- One litre of fortified wine; or
- A combination of any two of the above (but not a combination of two of the same product).
Additional restricted quantities for take-away alcohol with a meal
Per order:
- One bottle of wine and
- One six pack beer, cider or pre-mixed spirits (the six pack can be in any combination).
The move in Western Australia to allow venues to sell take-away alcohol, comes after similar moves by Governments in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.