Hospitality industry welcomes OC spray roll out for bottleshop guards

The hospitality industry says bottleshops are ‘champing at the bit’ to allow their guards to carry pepper spray, while advocates warn the move is ‘a disaster waiting to happen’.

The hospitality industry has welcomed the roll out of pepper spray to bottleshop security guards, saying businesses were “champing at the bit” to introduce the added layer of protection.

From Monday, private security guards at bottleshops can apply to carry OC spray while on duty.

The government also plans to increase fines from $187 to $880 for those refusing to leave a venue or bottle shop, in line with recommendations from last year’s Liquor Act review which called for harsher penalties.

Trader Bar’s Stephanie Berlin.

The review did not recommend OC spray, but director of Darwin’s Trader Bar, Stephanie Berlin, welcomed the move she believed would improve both staff and community safety.

“Living in Darwin, it’s all about having fun, I think putting these measures in place ensures that everyone can still have a good time and stay safe,” Ms Berlin said.

She said Trader Bar management regularly spoke with their staff about de-escalation techniques in an attempt to improve safety.

Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce said OC spray roll out had been “a long time coming”.

“We’re finally over the finish line,” he said.

“It’s not a silver bullet, but we do think it will help protect our staff, our customers and our guards.

“Not all bottleshops are going to take it up, but we are aware of some that are champing at the bit to do it.”

Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce. Picture: Che Chorley

Mr Bruce said he was “heartened” by last year’s roll out of OC spray for public transit safety officers, who have so far recorded no instances of using the weapon.

“This is about warding people off, making them think twice,” Mr Bruce said.

OC spray for bottleshops was promised more than a year ago in the wake of BWS worker Declan Laverty’s stabbing death.

Mr Bruce said the alleged murder had hit hard among the hospitality industry.

“Everyone’s got family and friends that can recall their first time behind the bar, or unloading cartons in bottle shops, so it really hit a chord.”

Shadow Business Minister Marie-Clare Boothby said the government should have moved faster to implement its seven-step plan for safety in the wake of Declan’s death.

“We don’t need any more reviews, or any more lack of action from this government. What we need is a government who can make changes immediately,” she said.

NT Shadow Business Minister Marie-Clare Boothby said the government should have moved faster to roll out OC spray for private security guards. Picture: Fia Walsh.

“Territory businesses will do and take so many measures to try and keep their customers and their staff safe, but they can only do so much – what we need is to strengthen the laws instead of strengthening the windows of those businesses.”

Ms Boothby said the CLP would support the proposed penalty hike for failing to leave a licensed premises, but said laws should go further to deal with “problem drunks on the street” and crimes outside of venues.

“It was the CLP that increased those penalty units, I believe back in 2015, and it was after the Riley Review when Labor decided to water down that fine and made it back to zero,” she said.

“We support the higher penalty units in that space, the problem with this legislation is it just doesn’t go far enough.” 

NAAJA condemned moves to arm more guards with OC spray.

The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency said it was alarmed by OC spray powers being extended.

“OC spray is a serious weapon, subject to stringent controls under the Weapons Control Act. Private security providers are not subject to the same accountability mechanisms as members of the Police Force. Putting this weapon in the hands of private security was not a recommendation out of the Liquor Act review,” a spokeswoman said.

“There are major unanswered questions around adequate training, the impact of use on individuals who may have medical conditions for which exposure to OC spray could be harmful, accountability, and the potential targeting of Aboriginal people.

“Arming security guards with OC spray will not enhance community safety and is instead a disaster waiting to happen.”

Originally published as Hospitality industry welcomes OC spray roll out for bottleshop guards