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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 7 Hansard (1 July) . . Page.. 1938 ..

MR HUMPHRIES

This Bill amends the Liquor Act 1975 by:

enabling the amendment of the Licensing Standards Manual in line with the recommendations of the Report of the former Standing Committee on Legal Affairs on Voluntary Codes of Practice for Liquor licensees;

introducing offence provisions for licensees in relation to minors possessing and consuming liquor on licensed premises and being in a 'bar-room' not in the care of a 'responsible adult';

amending the definition of 'responsible adult';

enabling licensees to confiscate false identification under specific guidelines;

expanding the matters that the Registrar considers when determining indoor occupancy loadings;

introducing a yearly licence renewal fee and repealing the Business Franchise (Liquor) Act 1993; and

making a number of other minor and technical changes.

In 1997 the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs conducted an Inquiry into Voluntary Codes of Practice for Liquor Licensees. The main recommendation in the Report of the Committee was that material in the Codes of Practice be included in the Licensing Standards Manual as mandatory obligations for licensees.

In its response to the Report the Government supported the recommendation of the Committee and that support is reflected in the amendments in this Bill. The Bill amends the Liquor Act to provide that the Licensing Standards Manual can address standards relating to the conduct of the licensed premises in addition to maintaining some of the existing standards relating to the construction of the premises which are particularly relevant to the responsible sale and consumption of liquor. The amended Manual will therefore address issues related to the conduct of the licensed premises including the responsible service of liquor, security and safety, underage drinking and underage functions.

Also consistent with the recommendations of the Committee the amendments provide specific grounds for the issue of directions to a licensee if the licensee's conduct of the licensed premises has not complied with the Manual.

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