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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Liquor and Gaming NSW has announced the introduction of compulsory online refresher training for holders of expiring responsible service of alcohol (RSA) and responsible conduct of gambling (RCG) photo competency cards. The new regulation is expected to come into effect from August when the first five year photo competency cards will start to expire. The cards were introduced in August 2011 to anyone who completed RSA and RCG training in NSW. Prior ...

Both the owner and licensee of Kings Cross nightclub Dreamgirls have been convicted for operating an unlicensed bar on the premises. Just two months ago media reported that the club had been forced to close after officers from Liquor & Gaming NSW and Police found that drugs were being sold by the venue. Consequently Dreamgirls’ surrendered its liquor licence and Michael Frank Amante and David Wilhelm Lakepa have been facing charges since. The ...

The NSW Government’s announcement of the introduction of a 10 cent refund container deposit scheme in the state has raised concerns for the drinks industry this week. On Monday, Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) responded with the release of an ASX announcement to reassure its investors that the scheme would not have any initial impact on the company’s financials. The Australian Food & Grocery Council (AFGC) also put out a statement supported ...

The Liquor Stores Association (LSA) has expressed concerns over a white paper containing recommended changes to the ACT Liquor Act 2010. The ‘Building on the Liquor Reform: White Paper’ released by ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell, is meant to “prioritise community safety while increasing the vibrancy of the ACT’s nightlife precincts,” according to the Government. But LSA has conducted its own review of the Paper and believes a number will significantly impact on liquor retailers and the industry. In particular, LSA ...

The 1,856 submissions received by the Callinan Review were published online this week. Among them were several from the major alcohol supplier and industry bodies, opposing the 1.30am lockout and 10pm take-away liquor restrictions. The independent review of the existing Liquor Act, which is being led by Hon Ian Callinan AC QC, called for submissions in March to use as part of its final report to the NSW Government in August. Diageo Australia, Merivale, the Australian Hotels Association NSW ...

The Callinan Review into the existing lockout laws and liquor restrictions in NSW has received 1,856 submissions. The formal submission period for the independent review by the Hon Ian Callinan AC QC opened on 5 March 2021 and closed on Monday night (April 4). A total 1,856 submissions have since been received from organisations and individuals relating to the 1.30am lock out, 3am cease alcohol service restriction and 10pm take-away ...