Victorian Labor has unveiled a suite of proposed reforms to help pubs “get on with business” ahead of the November state election, heralding later closing times and allowing customers to bring canine companions.
Ben Carroll’s Victorian government has issued election promises intended to boost the hospitality sector and night-time economy, and the state’s roughly 1,300 pubs.
A statement released at the end of last week explained the principle was to put more power in the hands of the pub operators, “not the bureaucrats”.
A key change is that pubs will no longer be expected to close at 1am and will have an automatic right to trade until 3am, without having to go through what the government admits is an ‘onerous’ process to secure later closing times. What’s more, the lead time for standard liquor licence applications, such as trading hours extension, will be reduced from 11 weeks to six.
Venues that can demonstrate consistently good compliance history will be able to apply for multi-year licences.
Another major change is an amendment of the Food Act to cut out the ban on dogs inside pubs. A consultation period will be undertaken to determine exactly where dogs will be allowed, with restrictions around food areas likely. However, the decision whether or not to permit pooches in the pub would be ultimately up to the publican.
Interestingly, a survey on this topic in the Herald Sun, found 64 per cent of respondents taking the option that dogs should not be allowed as they are a “health and safety issue” while only 36 per cent took the choice that dogs should be allowed because “they cause less trouble than some patrons”.
While the survey makes presumptions and asks leading questions and may only reflect the preferences of online Hun readers, it is an indication that allowing dogs in a pub is not as universally celebrated as some might think.
Labor has also posed new rules that could broaden employment opportunities for the youth sector by allowing work such as clearing tables to be done by staff under the age of 18.
Also, a $2 million fund will support live music and cultural festivals, with a further $4 million allocated to support promoters and venues staging more gigs for local acts. And a review is underway to facilitate more all-ages gigs
The election sweeteners follow the very recent commitment to a $3 million Regional Brewery Fund in partnership with the Independent Brewers Association to support beer tourism and help brewers improve marketing, signage, accessibility and infrastructure.
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll offers that the changes will benefit pub owners.
“Pubs know what they are doing, and these are common-sense decisions to let them get on with business.
“Victoria has the best pubs in the country – let’s keep them that way.”
Liquor Regulation Minister Enver Erdogan furthered that the changes are ‘sensible’ and “in line with modern community expectations” about pubs.
Complementing the reforms, Labor plans to launch a VicSmart planning pathway dedicated to making it faster and easier for pubs to get approval for low-impact projects, such as renovations and internal fit-outs, with approvals reduced from the roughly ten months taken now through councils to as little as ten business days.
It’s anticipated some of the new measures may create tension with nearby residents, potentially affected by noise or anti-social behaviour.
Targeted live music precincts will be created in Fitzroy, Collingwood, Geelong, and Ballarat and the government is promising to clamp down on neighbours filing complaints against venues.
Rather than go through councils, objections will be managed by a dedicated ‘live music desk’ if the Carroll administration is re-elected. The onus will be put on complainants to prove their case.
Bob Hill, Assistant Commissioner of Victoria Police, does not have concerns regarding the reforms, suggesting moves to bring people into entertainment venues in the city is “a positive thing”.
He offers that officers do not have the concerns they may have had a decade ago about alcohol-fuelled violence due to a societal shift and “people are not consuming the level of alcohol” they once did.
The Carroll government has committed to working with both Liquor Control Victoria and the Australian Hotels Association.
AHA Vic CEO Paddy O’Sullivan has welcomed any changes that would cut red tape.
Pending the results of the election, the government expects the changes to pass in parliament early 2027.
