Page 2239 - Week 06 - Monday, 11 May 2009
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Mr Corbell: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) The Office of Regulatory Services (ORS) administers the Liquor Act 1975 and the Liquor Licensing Standards Manual 2004. The ORS in conjunction with ACT Policing undertakes proactive late night inspections of licensed premises to ensure that they comply with all relevant provisions of the Act and the manual. In the period July 2008 to March 2009, some 450 inspections have been carried out in the ACT.
(2) (a) No official warnings were issued in relation to section 138 of the Act, however, since 2006 over 1200 inspections of licensed premises have been undertaken by ORS inspectors. During that period approximately 200 separate breaches of the Act were identified. Enforcement action in relation to these breaches has ranged from warnings through to referrals to the Liquor Board.
(b) No prosecution actions were initiated in relation to section 138 of the Act, however, between 2006 and late 2008 the now defunct Liquor Board heard 57 separate matters involving Liquor Licensees and their non-compliance with the Act.
The matters referred to the Liquor Board ranged across a number of sections but the most prevalent were those offences relating to under-age drinking and matters concerning the safety of patrons, for example premises exceeding their occupancy loadings and blocked fire exits. Outcomes from these Disciplinary Hearings have included but are not limited to monetary fines and liquor licence suspension.
The ORS also investigated during this timeframe over 707 alleged contraventions of section 158 of the Act. This section prohibits a person from using or attempting to use someone else’s identification or a fake or fraudulently altered identification to enter or remain in a licensed premise. Approximately 50 of these matters have resulted in a prosecution.
(c) ORS inspectors actively liaise with licensees to ensure that they understand their obligations under the Liquor Act 1975. This includes providing guidance to licensees about their obligations whether verbally, in writing or via the ORS e-newsletter.
(3) ORS inspector’s complete shift reports after each after hours shift, these reports highlight any issues which may have concerned the Inspectors, as well as any issues that need further action by the ORS. This information is also recorded in the ORS database. The ORS will also investigate any complaints referred to them by the public in relation to licensed premises. ORS provide guidance to licensees about their obligations, whether verbally, in writing or by way of the ORS e-newsletter.
Canberra Connect—feedback
(Question No 171)
Ms Le Couteur asked the Chief Minister, upon notice, on 2 April 2009 (redirected to the Minister for Territory and Municipal Services):
(1) What has been the major area of feedback on the Canberra Connect service.
(2) Have there been any notable improvements this year.
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