News & Releases

BIG BOOST FOR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN NIGHT-TIME ECONOMY

Posted on March 2nd, 2026 by Jane Louise
The City of Canterbury Bankstown Council is the latest New South Wales LGA to begin a Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) trial, to help stimulate its night-time economy. The council has been awarded a $112k SEP Kickstart Grant to help support

FLYING HORSE SADDLED WITH RECORD FINE

Posted on February 16th, 2026 by Clyde Mooney
The Flying Horse in regional Victoria has felt the wrath of the VGCCC, copping the watchdog’s “largest fine” for its failure to comply with its gambling licence obligations. In February 2024 inspectors twice attended the Warrnambool Horse Hotel P/L, which trades as the Flying Horse Bar and Brewery. Inspectors

NMI SAYS A THIRD OF PUBS SHORT SERVING

Posted on February 9th, 2026 by Clyde Mooney
A new report from the National Measurement Institute (NMI) says undercover inspectors found around a third of pubs tested failed to pour a full serve of beer or another beverage. The NMI utilises a small army of ‘secret shoppers’ to

LICENSEE BANNED OVER INTOX INCIDENT

Posted on January 30th, 2026 by Jane Louise
A former licensee of Tamworth’s Southgate Inn has been banned from holding a license by the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) for one year following an incident where a heavily intoxicated person fell, sustaining multiple injuries. Across a

STRONGER SANCTIONS IN NEW NSW VIBRANCY LAWS

Posted on December 1st, 2025 by Jane Louise
The third phase of the Vibrancy reforms were passed in the New South Wales Parliament in November to continue support of the music and cultural sector and the state’s night-time economy. The Vibrancy reforms, which first came into effect in

FAKE DIGITAL IDs ON THE RISE

Posted on November 26th, 2025 by Clyde Mooney
An alarming increase in fake digital IDs is thought to be driven by widespread access to AI, and pubs are taking additional measures to reduce their risk of penalty. The option of digital identification has been introduced in most states

INSPECTORS HIT LICENSED VENUES TO SEE WHO MEASURES UP

Posted on November 21st, 2025 by Clyde Mooney
Between 20 and 24 October this year, licensed premises around the country were audited by trade measurement inspectors from the National Measurement Institute (NMI). Inspectors visited up to 350 licensed venues across Australia, checking that every glass, shot, nip, pint,

HOTEL SANCTIONED OVER UNDERAGE DRINKING

Posted on November 19th, 2025 by Jane Louise
The New South Wales regulator has disciplined the owner of a regional hotel following the discovery that minors consumed alcohol on the premises last May. While the hotel – the Australian Hotel in Young – was sanctioned for the breach,

NEW AUSTRAC RULES COMING INTO EFFECT

Posted on November 19th, 2025 by Clyde Mooney
Australia’s financial watchdog AUSTRAC has issued key updates to its Regulatory Guide that affect how pubs and clubs manage their AML/CTF obligations. In October AUSTRAC released its updated Regulatory guide for pubs and clubs with gaming machines, and accompanying priorities,

TACKLING DRUG ABUSE WITH ANTIDOTE ROLLOUT

Posted on October 20th, 2025 by Clyde Mooney
The NSW government has expanded its initiatives to combat drug overdoses by announcing the voluntary rollout to hospitality venues of an opioid treatment that has been proven to save lives. The medication Naloxone will be offered to pubs, clubs and