For the first time in almost 20 years, the South Australian Government is currently reviewing the Liquor Licensing Act.

Acting Premier, John Rau said the time is right for a review of the act.

“The current legislation is the product of layer upon layer of amendments laying over the original act during the last 20 years.”

Mr. Rau said that recent amendments to the act that have benefitted small venue licenses have proven that further changes to the legislation would have a significant positive impact on both “employment and a responsible drinking culture”.

“This raises the question as to whether other reforms may be overdue and may have similarly positive outcomes”, Mr. Rau added.

The review of the act will include looking at a red tape reduction for liquor licence applications, alcohol related violence and harm minimisation tactics, and current penalties, as well as Liquor and Gambling Commissioner’s powers and police powers.

“This is about looking at our current laws and industry framework, identifying where we want to be in the future, and how we are going to get there,” Mr Rau said.

“There are currently 12 different classes of liquor licenses. A number of the processes associated with gaining a licence are repetitive, or unnecessarily cumbersome to business.

“I will be speaking with key players over coming months as part of this review. I also strongly encourage industry and the community to provide feedback on opportunities for improvement.”

Feedback can be provided online, closing 5pm, Friday 29 January 2016.

www.agd.sa.gov.au/initiatives/liquor-licensing-discussion-paper