NSW: New liquor laws will see return of swill mentality: AHA

AAP General News (Australia)
12-02-2008
NSW: New liquor laws will see return of swill mentality: AHA

SYDNEY, Dec 2 AAP - The NSW government's new liquor laws are "draconian" and will only
encourage binge drinking, the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) says.

New regulations for 48 hotels and clubs that have been plagued by violence came into
effect on Monday, forcing them to adopt a 2am lock-out policy.

After midnight they must also serve drinks only in plastic cups and have a 10-minute
time-out once an hour in which drinks cannot be sold.

Neither the AHA nor any of the venues affected were consulted about the proposed reforms,
the industry group says.

It says the new laws could affect more than 200,000 workers who work in the hospitality
and tourism industries in NSW.

"We have genuine concerns that ... the government introduced a range of draconian measures
that affect 48 licensed venues without any indication of consultation or communication,"

AHA NSW chief executive Sally Fielke told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.

"One of our biggest issues is the 10-minute closure of the bar after midnight. Licensees
themselves don't understand the practicalities of how this is supposed to roll out.

"There is genuine apprehension and concern that shutting the bar for 10 minutes every
hour is going to reintroduce a binge-drinking mentality, a return of the six o'clock swill
and patron aggression due to their lack of understanding as to how this process is supposed
to operate."

Ms Fielke said while licensees were committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and
alcohol-related violence, the new legislation was not a long-term solution to either problem.

"Together we need to work on this issue, to look at putting in place long-term proactive
solutions," she said.

"Simply whacking the stick on 48 venues - some of whom are challenging why they're
even on this list - is not a long-term strategy to address this issue in our community."

NSW Premier Nathan Rees has told licensees upset by the laws to stop being "precious".

Mr Rees said it was just tough luck for hotels that didn't like the move.

"The community is fed up with alcohol-related violence, fed up," he told reporters.

Mr Rees rejected criticism that the government would not be able to enforce the 10-minute
time-out, saying specialist officers would be touring the listed venues.

He said the laws were not about stopping people from having a few drinks but were targeted
at those who got drunk and started fights.

AAP bsb/evt/jl

KEYWORD: PUBS UPDATE

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