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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 10 Hansard (23 September) . . Page.. 3091 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

as has occurred during the trial period. If this Bill is passed, I propose to regulate trading hours restrictions as follows: The sale of liquor for consumption on licensed premises will be prohibited between 5.00 am and 7.00 am or for a minimum of three hours after ceasing sales in a particular premises; and the sale of liquor for consumption off licensed premises will be prohibited between 11.00 pm and 8.00 am.

During the trading hours debate there have been strong views aired both for and against trading hours restrictions. The Government has received widespread comment on this issue from the general community, the business community and the industry. Much of the information received favours the continuation of the restriction of trading hours for the sale of liquor. In particular, businesses located in close proximity to Canberra's late night entertainment venues have highlighted the positive impact on the amenity of their business environment and the reduction in the incidence of antisocial behaviour when going to work and opening their businesses in the early hours of the morning.

In addition, while accepting that statistics on crime and antisocial behaviour did not change significantly during the trial, a number of positive points emerged from the trial that are worth noting: 75 per cent of residents support restricted trading hours; 24 per cent of residents believed restricted trading hours reduced crime; restricted trading hours impact on a minority of licensed premises; whether coincidental or not, there was a reduction in drink-driving; and police believe that the city area is more orderly.

Foremost in opposing trading hours restrictions has been the industry, and in particular the Australian Hotels Association. I have had ongoing discussions with the industry on the restriction of trading hours. Through this process I believe a mutual understanding of each other's objectives has been acknowledged and with that I am now confident that the industry will be a willing and compliant partner or participant in an environment of restricted trading hours in the terms I have outlined. Indeed, I met Australian Hotels Association representatives on Friday of last week and outlined this proposal, and it met with their support.

Mr Speaker, while not contained in this Bill, I am also announcing today the establishment of a non-statutory liquor advisory group to provide advice to government on questions to do with liquor, including enforcement of regulations, serving practices and, most significantly, harm minimisation and public health. I intend to write to members of the Assembly this week seeking proposals for a composition of the group. That group will be put in place not to deal with the statutory issues which are the prerogative of the Liquor Licensing Board but more as a group to advise government on issues associated with liquor.

In response to a number of other issues raised at my meeting with key stakeholders in July, the Government will formally introduce a code of practice for security staff in licensed premises, the so-called bouncers, within the next couple of weeks. That code will apply to the security and protection industry generally but will have provisions which will apply specifically to bouncers, including the mandatory wearing of identification.

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