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 ...

Liquor & Gaming NSW, the state’s new regulatory body for the liquor and gaming industries, has extended the liquor licence freeze in both Sydney CBD Entertainment and King Cross precincts for 12 months. The body is still reviewing the 1.30am lockout and 3am last drinks legislation. The freeze means that no new liquor licences will be granted up until February 2017, including on-premise public entertainment venue, hotel, general bar, club, producer/wholesaler or ...

Trade are being invited to have their say on the review of the lockout laws. The review is being led by former High Court Justice, the Hon. Ian Callinan AC QC, and will assess the effectiveness of the 1.30am lockouts and 3am last drinks legislation that applies in Kings Cross and Sydney CBD precincts, while also looking at the state-wide 10pm restriction of take away liquor sales. The review will ...

The Gaming and Liquor Administration Amendment Act 2015 came into effect this week, establishing the new regulatory body Liquor & Gaming NSW, which encompasses both the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing and Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority. The act was passed by the NSW Government towards the end of last year with the purpose of creating a stronger and singular state regulatory body for the liquor and gaming industries. ...

Dreamgirls and Bada Bing in the Kings Cross precinct, Sydney have been closed for selling illicit drugs to undercover officers. Both venue licences have been suspended for six months and could be suspended for longer by the Office of Liquor, Gaming & Racing and NSW Police Force. Back in December 2015, undercover officers were able to purchase cocaine from staff at the strip clubs, who were also observed openly taking the drug. In an ...

The Office of Liquor, Gaming & Racing has issued the New England Hotel in Armidale with several penalty notices for serving alcohol to an intoxicated person as well as breaching a licence condition. The sentence, which was decided on Monday, also includes fines of up to $3,000. According to the office, an employee of the New England Hotel was seen serving three vodka based drinks to a male patron who was already ...

A case involving an employee of a large South Australian wine producer last month should have caught the attention of everyone in the drinks trade, because it involved that ever-present industry hazard of an employee being over the limit in the workplace. By Walter MacCallum, Director, Aitken Lawyers The employer had recently implemented a trial workplace drug and alcohol policy at one of its plants in Berri. The policy aimed to maintain a safe environment, compliant with ...