Liquor Licensing: A Cause for Concern...
By Chris Watters, Executive Director Liquor Licensing Division, Department of Tourism, Fair Trading and Wine Industry Development
This month there are two topics I would like to raise with Inside Liquor readers – Schoolies Week and harm minimisation and community events.
Liquor Licensing at Schoolies
As I am sure all readers are aware, Schoolies is an annual event traditionally held at Surfers Paradise at the end of every school year (i.e. late November). Other parts of Queensland, including the Sunshine Coast, Airlie Beach and Magnetic Island also have smaller Schoolies celebrations.
As Schoolies attracts tens of thousands of teenagers every year, licensees need to be extra vigilant to make sure those under the age of 18 years are not sold or supplied alcohol by their staff.
Every year many under-aged school leavers are tempted to try and sneak into licensed premises or purchase alcohol. As a licensee or staff member, it is your responsibility to make sure they don’t succeed! This year, as in previous years, Liquor Licensing Officers will be working with police to monitor and enforce the provisions of the Liquor Act 1992 to prevent the abuse and misuse of liquor by young adults and minors.
The fact sheet “Minors, the law and you” outlines a number of ways you and your staff can avoid prosecution in relation to minors being on your premises. It also provides a number of tips for your staff to ensure they are aware of strategies that can be used to prevent underage drinking or unlawful entry to your venue.
This and other fact sheets are available for download from: www.liquor.qld.gov.au or by emailing liquorcomms@dtftwid.qld.gov.au liquorcomms@dtftwid.qld.gov.au
Harm minimisation and community events
I have recently been provided with the results of some research by the National Drug Research Institute indicating young people living in rural areas are almost twice as likely to die from risky drinking as those who live in metropolitan areas.
The research shows that 15% of all deaths among 15-24 year olds between 1993 and 2002 were from alcohol-attributable injury and disease. The most common causes of death attributable to risky drinking among Australian youth are car crashes, suicide and violent assaults.
People living in rural areas are also 1.9 times more likely than their city counterparts to be admitted to hospital as a result of an alcohol-fuelled assault, and 1.5 times more likely to be the victim of alcohol-caused violence.
These figures are disturbing and should be of concern to all Inside Liquor readers. They serve to reiterate why the Liquor Licensing Division is committed to protecting the community from liquor-related harm.
Under the Liquor Act 1992 licensees are required to maintain a safe environment for patrons and staff; and ensure liquor is served, supplied and promoted in a way that will minimise harm from the use of liquor and preserve peace and good order. This was a message delivered to community event organisers from Far Northern and remote areas at a recent Liquor Licensing Forum held in Richmond.
While it is the Division’s experience that most major event organisers manage their events professionally, with careful attention to controlling risk and delivering an enjoyable event, we will continue to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the potential for liquor-related harm and nuisance prior to licensing any community event where alcohol is sold.
Licensing conditions are imposed to give effect to harm prevention strategies, and to ensure licensees and permittees meet their obligations under the Liquor Act for the responsible sale, supply and promotion of liquor.
The risks of liquor-related harm and nuisance at public events where alcohol is sold remains high, and the Liquor Licensing Division will not permit the licensing of any community event unless reasonable measures are taken to protect the community from liquor-related harm and nuisance.