Tennant Creek Golf Club surrenders liquor licence, chair disputes Liquor Commission’s findings

One Territory golf club has surrendered its liquor license – but not because of what the Liquor Commission uncovered during a prearranged audit, it says. Find out why.

Tennant Creek Golf Club. Picture: Facebook

A prearranged audit uncovering no one could legally serve booze is not the reason a Northern Territory golf club relinquished its liquor licence, the club’s chairman says.

On November 6, the Tennant Creek Golf Club surrendered its liquor licence, a move made public by the Northern Territory Liquor Commission in a decision published by deputy chair Jodi Truman on the same day.

Golf club chairman Darrin Whatley said the decision to surrender the licence was made for a number of reasons, mainly after the only individual who held an RSA at the club resigned.

Tennant Creek Golf Club. Picture: Facebook

Mr Whatley’s comments follow what the liquor commission claimed it uncovered when it visited the club on July 25 as part of a prearranged audit.

During the audit, two compliance officers visited the venue and met with Peter Reid – the club’s licensee at the time – and “revealed no persons whose responsibilities involve serving or supervising the serving of patrons held a current responsible service of alcohol (RSA) certificate”, Ms Truman’s decision said.

Mr Whatley is adamant Mr Reid held a valid RSA at the time of the audit and Ms Truman’s decision does not mention if Mr Reid held a valid RSA.

In Ms Truman’s decision, she said the commission contacted Mr Reid giving him notice a valid RSA needed to be tendered by August 9.

Instead, on August 9, Mr Reid resigned from the club, backdating his resignation to July 25.

Due to Mr Reid resigning, Mr Whatley said the club then decided to surrender its liquor licence, because it did not have a valid RSA after Mr Reid’s resignation – not because it was caught without one as Ms Truman’s decision states.

NT Liquor Commission deputy chair Jodi Truman.

“We had a short meeting, the four of us within the committee, and we decided not to … have liquor on the premises,” he said.

“It (the licence) was surrendered lawfully by the Tennant Creek Golf Club with no action taken by the Liquor Commission.

“We weren’t selling alcohol on the premises between when Mr Reid had resigned and to the current date and we still haven’t because none of us do have a current RSA.”

The club surrendering its licence avoided a disciplinary hearing planned for November 13, Ms Truman’s decision said.

Mr Whatley — who said he was yet to read the Liquor Commission’s published notice – said the club could potentially look at getting its liquor licence back if membership increased.

“If we upgrade a few things in our golf club, as in upgraded security systems, our windows, and upgraded security alarm system, and our numbers grow, then we will endeavour to pursue reopening contact with the Liquor Commission and reapplying for a liquor licence in the near future,” he said.

In Ms Truman’s decision, she said she was “satisfied” cancelling the hearing was the “appropriate action to be taken”.

Originally published as Tennant Creek Golf Club surrenders liquor licence, chair disputes Liquor Commission’s findings