14 DAYS FOR IMPERIAL OWNER TO DEFEND AGAINST CLOSURE

Bricks and mortar owner of Erskineville’s troubled Imperial Hotel has been granted a two-week extension to explain why the venue shouldn’t close for up to six months. Provisional lessees Spice Group have recently seen the mire of the Office of

NO BUTTS – STRICT NEW SMOKING LAWS BEGIN TODAY

The noose around smokers’ rights has tightened a little more, with the latest bout of smoking restrictions coming into effect today in NSW. Potentially the kind of logistical problem as the indoor smoking ban that took effect in July 2007,

NO SUPPORT FOR LOCKOUTS WITHOUT EVIDENCE: GORDON

A discerning voice has rung out against Queensland Labor’s “blanket legislation” to introduce State-wide lockouts, with FNQ MP Billy Gordon calling for actual evidence. Concerned the proposed lockout laws will have detrimental effects in his electorate, Gordon warns the Labor

PUSH FOR LOWER ALCOHOL TAX IN PUBS

The National Australian Hotels Association has lobbied for lower excise rates in venues to reflect changing times and “safer environments”. The AHA has made a submission to the Federal Government’s tax policy white paper taskforce, calling for discussion around reduced

NZ PUBS SLAPPED ON WRIST FOR REPEATED LICENCE BREACHES

A series of New Zealand pubs have had penalties imposed after failing to comply with the “fun police”. Three venues have received licensing restrictions this week for matters relating to extreme drunkenness, after inspectors encountered patrons so intoxicated they were

LIQUOR STORE CLOSING TIME LAWS UNDER REVIEW

The OLGR has undertaken to perform a comprehensive review of the benefits and impacts of the forced 10pm bottleshop closure law, to the relief of industry and warning cries from anti-liquor advocates. The NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming & Racing

PUI? GOVT PLAN TO BREATH-TEST PATRONS

The newly-elected Queensland Government is considering a plan to breath-test patrons – with results to be used to build cases against venues. The plan is over and above the considerations already on the table to introduce lockouts and early closing

DRUNK DIES AS MANAGER EATS. PUB CLOSES

A pub in Birmingham, UK has lost its licence for “monumental failings” contributing to a patron’s death on 10 December last year. A special committee heard evidence that a man had become highly intoxicated after a long session drinking cider

AHA BRINGS BIKIE LAW REVISION FOR HOTELS

The much-anticipated latest round of anti-bikie laws is set to go before South Australia’s parliament – but not before being amended to reflect consideration for the hotel and hospitality industry. Attorney-general John Rau announced alterations to the proposed Bill that