GOVT RETHINK ON WORKING VISAS GOOD NEWS FOR HOSPITALITY

The hospitality industry has welcomed today’s announcement by Tourism Minister Richard Colbeck that Government would review plans for the upcoming ‘backpacker tax’ on visa workers. Citing that “legitimate concerns” have been raised, Senator Colbeck revealed Prime Minister Turnbull tasked him

KEYSTONE TO OFFLOAD CARGO IN CHANGE OF TACK

Keystone continues its directional shift, with the listing of the iconic Cargo Bar in Darling Harbour. Following unsolicited approaches for the Newtown Hotel, Cargo Bar and its sister venue Bungalow 8, The Keystone Group (TKSG) underwent a strategic review that

MASS BRAWLS SYDNEY & MELBOURNE HIGHLIGHT CLUELESS RULE-MAKERS

A massive weekend of violence in Sydney and Melbourne has put a spotlight on the folly of measures to date to address escalating anti-social behaviour. Recent weeks have seen fundamentally peaceful demonstrations in Sydney protesting the draconian ‘lockout’ laws that

MAGISTRATE IN ICE HOTSPOT GOES TOUGH ON BOOZE

As the spotlight heats up in NSW on the Sydney lockouts and State-wide bottleshop closing times, a border town Victorian Magistrate has publicly questioned local licensing. On 12 April last year two brothers ended a long night of drinking with

INDUSTRY FORUM TO TALK HOSPITALITY FUTURE PLANNING

The Drop is hosting an industry lunch next Friday, bringing Australia’s most acclaimed finance guru and a brains trust to discuss trends and pitfalls in gaming and hospitality. The lunch aims to provide guests opportunity for future planning, with access

HIBERNATING PYRMONT PUB COULD AWAKEN AFTER DECADES

What could be Sydney’s “most intriguing hotel” has been listed for sale, after laying dormant for 32 years. Located on a prominent corner on what was the last stop on the old tram line out of Sydney, the Terminus Hotel

MELBOURNE METROPOLITAN GEM HITS THE MARKET

A high-profile Melbourne CBD freehold has hit the market, boasting a triple-frontage and big potential as a pub or mixed development. The historic Metropolitan Hotel is on the busy corner of William and Lonsdale Streets, opposite the Mint, and close

MAY BUYS BURLEIGH HEADS BEACHFRONT PAVILION

Colourful hotelier Ben May has partnered with his Manly Wharf landlord Robert Magid to buy iconic beachside property The Burleigh Pavilion. One of Australia’s only absolute beachfront premises, the Burleigh Heads building currently houses the Rick Shores bar-restaurant, Oskar’s Restaurant,