Edition 53, January/February 2008

Victoria undertakes liquor licence reform

Victoria has introduced changes to the state's liquor licensing laws with the passage of the Liquor Control Reform Amendment Act 2007. To take effect progressively on various dates in 2007 and 2008, the purpose of the Amending Act is to:

  • enable persons to be excluded from certain licensed premises or areas in specified circumstances
  • strengthen liquor licensing penalties and enforcement powers
  • facilitate and support voluntary liquor accords
  • ban inappropriate advertising or promotion of liquor sales and licensed premises

A number of provisions came into effect on 19 December 2007, including:

  • police can issue a banning notice which bans a person from the designated area or all licensed premises in the designated area for 24 hours
  • the Director of Liquor Licensing can declare a 'designated area' if the Director believes that alcohol-related violence or disorder has occurred within 100 metres of licensed premises in the area
  • the Director of Liquor Licensing may make temporary late hour declarations (lockouts) where the Director believes it will address alcohol-related violence or disorder in a particular area
  • the Chief Commissioner, a Deputy Commissioner or an Assistant Commissioner of Police may, on certain grounds, suspend a licensee's licence for a period not exceeding 24 hours

Further provisions regarding breach notices, increased penalties and inappropriate liquor promotions are yet to be proclaimed.

For more information on the changes and a copy of the fact sheet, visit www.consumer.vic.gov.au (Select 'Liquor' > 'Licensee Responsibilities & Liquor Laws' > 'Liquor laws of Victoria').

This page was generated on 12 January, 2010

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