Pubs, clubs face higher fees for ‘risk’ factors under proposed liquor law changes

PUBS, clubs and hotels face much higher licensing fees under a liquor law review if the venue has “risk” factors — such as staying open later, having big crowds or repeatedly breaching the law.

Late opening and crowds are factors that could increase fees for licensed venues under the proposed changes.

PUBS, clubs and hotels would be charged much higher licensing fees based on how “risky” their business is, if the State Government accepts recommendations of a major review of liquor laws.

Attorney-General John Rau has given a strong indication that he supports the new fee structure, saying he wants those venue owners “who misbehave ... to feel the consequences”.

Under the proposal, venues would be charged a licensing fee based on risk factors such as how late they remain open, how many people the venue can hold and how often it has been found guilty of breaching the law in the past.

State Budget papers show the Government expects to reap an extra $1.2 million in revenue from fines issued to licensed venues this financial year.

The review of the Liquor Licensing Act, by former judge Tim Anderson, was delivered to Government early last month.

Mr Rau told Parliament’s Estimates Committee that it was “way too early” to factor any changes into projected government revenue, but he was “not ruling anything in or out”.

“Whatever happens out of (the) Anderson (review), I am pretty confident it will be the case that we will be looking at a system for liquor licensing where those people who misbehave are going to feel the consequences of that,” Mr Rau said.

“We are going to try to increasingly focus the activity of (authorities) ... on the high-risk operators.

“That is, I think, the flavour of (Mr) Anderson’s recommendations. I agree with that general flavour.”

Australian Hotels Association SA general manager Ian Horne said there was no evidence in the Anderson review “to justify ... what is effectively a multimillion-dollar tax on hospitality”.

“In this economic environment the concept of a new massive tax is a jobs killer that will further wreck fragile investor confidence,” he said.

Addressing underage drinking, Mr Rau said he wanted “the book thrown at” venues that were “too lazy” to check ID cards and served alcohol to minors.

“I personally believe we should be ... dropping that on them like a ton of bricks,” he said.

Mr Rau added that he was open to introducing a fine to penalise teenagers who use fake IDs, in addition to existing penalties for the venue operators.

Mr Horne added that minors were more likely to consume alcohol “at home, in public places, private parties and at friend’s homes” than in a licensed venue.

Opposition spokesman Sam Duluk said it was “clear that the Attorney has a set view on how people, particularly young people, are supposed to enjoy themselves” and he expected the Government would implement “many of the more punitive measures” in the review.