Industry Insights

Ex Dreamgirls Operators Banned for Life

dreamgirls

Two former operators of Dreamgirls strip club in Kings Cross have been banned for life by the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) from holding a liquor licence and managing a licensed venue. Mr David Lakepa and Mr Michael Amante were convicted in court in May this year for operating an unlicensed bar at the strip club, as well as for drugs being used and sold on the premises. Mr Lakepa was ...

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ACT Licensing Fee Increase Stopped

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The Liquor Stores Association NSW & ACT and the Australian Liquor Stores Association’s campaign against the proposed increase to licensing fees in the ACT has been a success. The campaign ended this week with ACT Labor committing to significantly lower increases to the state’s liquor licensing fees. The party also agreed to maintain its policy position on liquor licensing fees until the end of the next term. Both of these commitments will apply ...

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CCA and Molson Coors Extend Distribution Agreement

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Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) extended its distribution agreement with Molson Coors this week, agreeing to also manage the American brewer’s new Miller Genuine Draft (MGD) and Miller Chill beers in Australia. The two beers will join Molson Coors’ Coors Light and Blue Moon brands in Australia, which have been managed by CCA since 2013. CCA’s Managing Director of Alcohol and Coffee, Shane Richardson said, “This new agreement deepens our existing relationship ...

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2016 IBA Retailer and Supplier Awards Announced

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This years’ IBA Retail and Supplier Awards were announced at the National Trade Workshop in Fiji - honouring the best performers in the IBA network. And the winners are: National Retailer of the Year 2016 Hastings Co-op SUPA IGA plus Liquor Wauchope - Lisa Attkins National Cellarbrations Retailer of the Year 2016 Cellarbrations Superstore at Torquay Hotel - Darren Carter National IGA Liquor Retailer of the Year 2016 Hastings Co-op ...

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WCA Awards d’Arry Osborn ‘Legend of the Vine’

d'Arry Osborn Legend of the Vine

Wine Communicators of Australia (WCA) has just awarded d’Arry Osborn with 2016 South Australian Legend of the Vine at the WCA Royal Adelaide Wine Show Awards Lunch, in the presence of 300 industry peers. Having spent his lifetime of almost 90 years immersed in the wine industry, d’Arry has been recognised as an individual who has contributed substantially to Australian wine. In 1943, 16-year-old d’Arry began helping his father run ...

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Diageo Proposes ‘Spirits Exemption’ from Container Deposit Scheme

Diageo Australia has released a statement to the New South Wales Government on its position on the proposed container deposit scheme, calling for all spirits-based drinks to be exempt. Currently, ‘spirits in glass containers’ are exempt from the scheme but not liqueurs. The business is calling for the Government to align itself with South Australia’s scheme, where all ‘spirituous liquor’ (including liqueurs) is exempt. In May this year, the NSW Government announced ...

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Vin de Champagne Award Winners 2016

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Winners of the 42nd biennial Vin de Champagne Awards were announced on Monday night at Four Seasons Sydney. The awards are recognised as being among the most coveted in Australia and acknowledge two individuals within and outside of the food and drink industry who act as ambassadors of the Champagne Appellation by sharing their knowledge and appreciation of the wine with local consumers. (You may also be interested in the Australian ...

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Liquor Industry Wins Big at 2016 POPAI Marketing at Retail Awards

popai-awards

A number of alcohol beverage suppliers have been recognised at the 2016 POPAI Marketing at Retail Awards for best practice, innovation and excellence in retail marketing. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals were awarded to Carlton & United Breweries (CUB), Treasury Wine Estates (TWE), Brown-Forman, Accolade Wines, [yellow tail], Diageo and McWilliam’s Wines. CUB’s BWS mobile campaign for Great Northern Super Crisp Lager won Gold in the Mobile, Social and Online category. Created ...

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Peak Industry Body Comments on Callinan Review

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Alcohol Beverages Australia Executive Director, Mr. Fergus Taylor has responded to the independent NSW state liquor law review by former High Court judge Ian Callinan, which was released to the public this week. Responding today, Taylor said the release of the Callinan Review was an excellent opportunity for the State Government to let the people of NSW know it has listened to their objections. The review considered the impact and ...

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A Done Deal: Sazerac and SouthTrade Reach an Acquisition Agreement

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It has been announced to the market today that The Sazerac Company has acquired SouthTrade International from Pinnacle Drinks. Tony Stubley, co-founder of SouthTrade said: “This change in ownership will allow us to open up new routes to market and service an even wider range of customers who are seeking our authentic and experiential brands as part of their drinks repertoire. Meanwhile, our relationship with Pinnacle could not be better and we will continue to ...

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