Alcohol Beverages Australia (ABA) met with the office of Troy Grant on Wednesday, October 26 to discuss the Callinan Review Report findings. Looking to tackle the issues of most concern for its members, ABA discussed its suggestions for the lockout laws, calling for an end to the current blanket solution.
ABA’s key concern is that a fair assessment of the situation surrounding the lockout laws has not been made. ABA states that the Report only looked at whether lockout laws met the policy objectives of the amending legislation, and not at alternative ways to achieve these objectives.
Instead of the blanket measure in place, ABA is urging for “local solutions to local problems”, stating that the lockout laws punish responsible drinkers and well-run venues due to the actions of a small minority.
Whilst the Report does recommend a relaxation in lockout laws, ABA stresses that the government should consider a wider spectrum of solutions. These solutions include:
- Faster and more straightforward licence applications for new businesses and a sensible relaxation or exemptions around the ban on serving high strength RTDs and neat spirits after midnight.
- A broadening of the criteria for affected venues to be able to delay lockouts and extend their trading hours past the 3am ceasing of service.
- The reversal of the earlier closing time for bottle stores state-wide, and a closing time of midnight introduced.
- The removal of restrictions such as lockouts and earlier closing times on those venues across the Sydney CBD with good records of compliance and patron behaviour.
- Improved and 24-hour transport options for entertainment precincts and stronger penalties for violent and anti-social offenders.
Fergus Taylor, ABA Executive Director, is calling on the industry to get involved.
“I’d urge anyone involved in the alcohol beverages industry to contact their local member of parliament today and ask them what they’re going to do for you, to get this message heard by the Government.” Taylor said.
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