NewsBite

Fresh probe into grand final border breacher

Grand final border breacher Hayden Burbank is facing a fresh probe which could see the bar owner face further “disciplinary action”.

Burbank and Babbage celebrate Melbourne's grand final win

Grand final border breacher Hayden Burbank is being investigated to see if he is a “suitable person” to hold a liquor licence in Victoria.

The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation on Friday confirmed it was looking into Burbank’s suitability after he was jailed in October for three months for breaching Western Australia’s Covid laws in order to see the Melbourne Demons win the AFL grand final.

“We are aware of a recent decision by the Perth Magistrates’ court in relation to Mr Hayden Burbank,” a VCGLR spokesman said.

“Mr Burbank is the director of the company Bambou Restaurant Pty Ltd, which holds a liquor licence for Morris Jones & Co in Windsor.

“Victorian liquor licence holders and directors are required to be suitable persons. We are monitoring the situation closely and, as part of our investigation, will make inquiries with Mr Burbank and venue management in due course,” the spokesman said.

“Given this is currently under investigation it is not appropriate for us to comment further.”

Morris Jones owner Hayden Burbank (left) photographed in Perth for the grand final. Picture: Instagram
Morris Jones owner Hayden Burbank (left) photographed in Perth for the grand final. Picture: Instagram

Section 90 of the Liquor Control Reform Act states one of the grounds on which the VCGLR can commence disciplinary action against a licensee is if they have, whether in Victoria or elsewhere, been found guilty of an offence punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of three years or more.

“Where an existing licensee has been convicted of an offence, we may investigate and undertake a disciplinary action inquiry to assess their suitability, and in certain circumstances must cancel, suspend, or transfer a licence if a licensee has been found guilty of an offence punishable by three years or more imprisonment,” the spokesman said.

“Directors may also be disqualified from being involved in the management of licensed premises where appropriate.

“There is no set time frame for this inquiry process, but we endeavour to undertake it as quickly as possible.”

According to company records, Burbank’s mother, Antoinette Burbank, 71, was appointed as a director and secretary of Bambou Restaurant Pty Ltd, which operates the Morris Jones business, on November 1. Burbank remains a director.

In October, Burbank and his financial planner mate Mark Babbage pleaded guilty in Perth to three charges of breaching Western Australia’s Covid laws and one charge of fraud.

They were sentenced to 10 months in jail with seven months suspended.

They have a court date in February in Darwin where they are accused of forging identity documents and flouting the NT’s Covid directions during an outbreak.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/fiona-byrne/fresh-probe-into-grand-final-border-breacher/news-story/c9cf1c3afb73c2d28aca292ed13062cf