Page 2383 - Week 06 - Thursday, 24 June 2010
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associated with the sale of alcohol at special events through the use of the RAMP process and mandatory responsible-service-of-alcohol training.
Integral to the new licensing framework and harm minimisation is the introduction of mandatory industry training for the responsible service of alcohol. Licensees and commercial permit holders, their employees and security guards will all need to undertake mandatory responsible-service-of-alcohol training. Learning about the risks and the impact of irresponsible sale and consumption of alcohol will help employees recognise when a patron is intoxicated and help them to deal more effectively with intoxicated people.
The bill gives the commissioner power to approve a training organisation to provide a specified responsible-service-of-alcohol course. It also requires the commissioner to keep and maintain a licence and permit register for public inspection.
To improve the safety of patrons on licensed premises, all venues will be required to have an occupancy loading determined by the commissioner for all public areas of the premises, which cannot be greater than the loading recommended by the Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade. The commissioner may also require an occupancy loading for a commercial permit if the permitted premises is partially or wholly enclosed and would pose a fire risk. The government believes that the new liquor licensing framework is an important change that reflects community concerns.
The fifth key area of change enhances the security and protection of our young people. The bill defines an adults-only area for licensed premises, commonly known as the bar room, where children and young people are not allowed to enter. Importantly, the bill also strengthens the provisions dealing with under-age functions. In dealing with vulnerable young people, a higher threshold of scrutiny will be applied to licensees and their staff.
Unlike in the past, where licensees only had to notify the commissioner before holding an under-age event, in future licensees will need pre-approval from the commissioner. Everyone working at the event, regardless of capacity, will be required to undertake a police check. The commissioner will have the power to impose any condition on the approval, as well as those standard conditions prescribed by regulation, including preventing young people from being exposed to liquor, gaming or tobacco products.
Existing offences dealing with the supply of liquor to children and young people will continue to apply. However, there will be a new offence of a licensee or permit holder employing a person under the age of 18 years to work and supply liquor in an adults-only area. However, if a young person is employed in a licensed venue, they will be able to serve liquor in the non-adults-only area. For example, if a young person is employed to serve food in a licensed restaurant, the young person will be able to serve a glass of wine with the meal at the table but will not be able to serve liquor at the bar.
Police will continue to be able to issue a caution to any child or young person who is committing or has committed an offence under the new act. This approach supports the diversion of children and young people away from the criminal justice system.
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