IGA Yarrawarrah has Liquor Licence Suspended

An IGA south of Sydney in Yarrawarrah has had its liquor licence suspended for 14 days after being caught selling alcohol to a minor.

Police caught the liquor store selling a 17-year-old a pack of bourbon and cola back in June. A secondary supply incident was also recorded by police at the same store a few months later.

As a result, the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR) has suspended IGA Yarrawarrah’s liquor licence until 30 December. OLGR has also ordered a fine of $1,100 and strike under the Three Strikes disciplinary scheme.

“The escalated sanctions scheme sends a strong message to industry about the importance of complying with underage drinking laws and that the unlawful supply of alcohol to minors under 18 can have significant commercial consequences,” OLGR Director of Compliance and Enforcement Anthony Keon said.

“In this case it means IGA Yarrawarrah will be unable to sell alcohol over the busy Christmas period”, Keon added.

Under new laws introduced by the NSW Government last December, licensees can have their liquor licences suspended for up to 28 days for convictions of selling alcohol to minors. Keon has reminded licencees about the importance of checking for ID over the festive period.

“Licencees and staff need to be alive to the dangers of selling alcohol to minors particularly this time of year when many under 18s are celebrating the end of high school and exam results or just see it as a time to party. Licensees need to be vigilant and ensure they have practices in place, including stringent ID checks of young people, to prevent underage offences occurring on their premises.”

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