Red Tape

QHA CALLS FOR NIGHTLIFE REFORM BEFORE 2032

Posted on September 30th, 2026 by Jane Louise
Brisbane’s bid to become a world-class nightlife destination is being held back by red tape, with Queensland’s peak hotel body warning mandatory ID scanning and other regulations are making the city less welcoming to visitors. Queensland Hotels Association (QHA) chief

DAYLESFORD INQUEST PROBES EXPIRED OUTDOOR DINING PERMIT

Posted on June 17th, 2026 by Jane Louise
Almost three years ago, tragedy struck the Royal Daylesford Hotel when a driver drove into a crowded outdoor area of the venue. The crash killed five people including two children and injured six others. The driver, William Swale, had experienced

POST OFFICE FINED DESPITE MANDATED WORK DONE

Posted on March 9th, 2026 by Clyde Mooney
The owner of a closed but heritage-listed hotel in south-east Queensland has faced court and been penalised for failing to inform council it had done the work demanded in an enforcement notice. The two-storey Post Office Hotel was built in

REGULATORS WARN INDUSTRY OF COMPLIANCE OBLIGATIONS

Posted on March 6th, 2026 by Jane Louise
Regulators across Australia are reminding venues that compliance obligations remain a key focus in 2026. Recent updates from the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) and Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) highlight the importance of understanding legal responsibilities when

IVY LICENSEES BANNED OVER INCIDENT REGISTER

Posted on February 2nd, 2026 by Clyde Mooney
ILGA has banned two former licensees of Merivale’s ivy in Sydney from the industry for failing to record multiple instances of severe intoxication in accordance with NSW liquor laws. An investigation by Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&G) commencing 26 August

NSW REGULATOR BACK IN THE GAME

Posted on July 23rd, 2025 by Clyde Mooney
After recent references to pubs and clubs ‘raping’ local communities and a swift Ministerial smack-down, the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority appears to be back in the business of hospitality. In recent years the Authority (ILGA) has seemingly adopted an

PUBS’ DILEMMA AS RBA CONFRONTS COST OF LIVING

Posted on July 18th, 2025 by Clyde Mooney
The Reserve Bank has recommended an end to surcharges on EFTPOS payments and cards as part of its investigation into merchant fees, claiming businesses will be better off and Australians will potentially save billions each year. Payment surcharge laws began

HALF OF VENUE BREACHES CAUSED BY SIMPLE ERRORS, SAYS LCV

Posted on June 23rd, 2025 by Jane Louise
In Victoria, over half of the breaches found during compliance inspections in the last financial year were due to basic administrative errors such as incorrect signage displays. Liquor Control Victoria (LCV) has released further information to assist venues to easily

CARD SURCHARGE BAN UNDER DEBATE

Posted on May 12th, 2025 by Clyde Mooney
On the heels of a decisive election win, the Federal Government looks to continue its mandate to address the cost of living through the banning of debit card surcharges, from January. Under the current system businesses can pass on payment