Page 3977 - Week 13 - Thursday, 17 October 1991

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

ATTORNEY GENERAL

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION

QUESTION NO. 488

Mr Stefaniak - asked the Attorney General -

As a measure to combat the growing problem of alcohol abuse in the ACT

(1) Will the Government undertake to review 24 hour

liquor licensing in the ACT.

(2) If so, will the Government ban the sale of liquor

between the hours of Sam and Guam as requested by

the Australian Federal Police..

(3) If not, why not.

Mr Connolly - the answer to the Members question is as follows:

(1) As indicated in the Assemblys recent Matter of Public

Importance debate on the issue of the ACT liquor laws

the Government does not believe that a formal review of

the liquor laws, or the particular issue of 24 hour

licences, is necessary.

(2) Not applicable - but it should be noted that the

Australian Federal Police suggestion was not adopted in

the majority report of the ACT Assembly Standing

Committee on Social Policy

(3) An extensive number of amendments where made to

the ACT Liquor Act in November 1990. The Government

believes that these amendments should be given an

opportunity to work. However, the Government is

specifically looking at the issue of loss of amenity in the

vicinity of licensed premises. One possible solution,

which is successfully used in other states, involves a

formal conciliation process between the complainants

and the licensee. This process is supported by

appropriate powers for the licensing authority to make

orders in accordance with the terms of the agreed

position or to issue directions. I am currently consulting

the industry on this matter.

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