Message from the Executive Director
It’s hard to believe that 2010 is fast drawing to a close. For everyone in the Licensing, Regulation and Alcohol Strategy (LRAS) teams, it has certainly been a busy one!
Here’s a quick glimpse of just some of the changes we’ve seen:
• Smoking bans inside liquor licensed premises took effect from 2 January 2010.
• Amendments to the Liquor Act to help in addressing alcohol related violence and anti-social behaviour commenced on 1 July.
• The Darwin CBD became the first designated area declared in October, and we can expect that designated areas in both Palmerston and Alice Springs will soon follow.
• In gambling, the Productivity Commission released its report into Australia’s gambling industries, and work has commenced on establishing a clear Territory position on the recommendations the Federal Government has identified as priorities.
As well as all of our usual work including issuing licences, checking for compliance and enforcing licence requirements, we’ve been working on a number of national reforms: National Business Names and National Occupational Licensing, as well as Private Security.
In October, we said thank you and farewell to our Director of Licensing for the past eight years, Gary Moriarty and welcomed Dean Moloney to the role.
This year also saw the announcement of the most significant alcohol reforms anywhere in the nation.
But if 2010 was a big year for policy development and change, then 2011 will be the year when many of these major activities will be implemented across the Territory, making it one of the most challenging years the Division has ever faced.
I wish all of you a very Happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year and look forward to working with you all to make the year ahead a successful one.
Message from the Director of Licensing
As the newly appointed Director of Licensing, I look forward to meeting with representatives of industry in the coming months, and wish everyone a safe and prosperous festive season. I am a long term resident of the Northern Territory and have lived and worked in numerous remote and regional centres throughout the NT.
My former career was with the Northern Territory Police where I was a senior police officer with over 28 years experience. I have undertaken a number of operational and specialist police management roles throughout my policing career. My last position prior to my appointment with Licensing, Regulation and Alcohol Strategy was as the Superintendent of the Darwin Operational Service Division.
My experience has provided me with an excellent understanding of the challenges facing both industry and Licensing in this time of change and I am equally committed and looking forward to working with Industry throughout my tenure.
Outdoor Smoking Area
On 2 January 2011, amendments made to the Tobacco Control Act come into effect. For licensees this means that they must ensure that areas used by patrons for smoking meet the new regulations. From this date, smoking will only be allowed in designated Outdoor Smoking Areas (OSA) which cannot exceed 50% of the premises’ total outdoor eating and drinking area. Licensees must have an outdoor eating and drinking area to have an OSA. Meals and entertainment such as pokies, pool tables and live music are not permitted in an OSA.
The OSA must be clearly marked and a buffer must be in place between it and the rest of the premises. Licensees can apply for a Certificate of Compliance from the Director of Licensing if they submit their plans for an OSA before commencing work. Those licensees who think that their OSA will not be ready by 2 January 2011 should apply for a time extension. Applications for this, the certificate and further information on the new laws can be found on the Department of Justice website.
Designated Precinct Information
Recent amendments to the Liquor Act allows for the declaration of designated areas, which then provides for police to issue banning notices to people who commit specific offences in the areas.
Bans issued by police can be for a period of up to 48 hours however court approved bans can specify a period of up to 12 months. The Darwin designated area came into effect on 1 October 2010, and areas for Alice Springs and Palmerston have been identified and are being finalised. It is expected that they will be in place by Christmas.
Licensing and Compliance
The school holidays and the festive season are now upon us. People will no doubt be out and about celebrating and having a good time with family and friends during this period.
Licensing and compliance inspectors will also be active over the festive season and will be working closely with police to ensure people celebrating the season can go out and have a good time without being subject to alcohol-fuelled violence and other unacceptable behaviours.
Inspectors will be specifically targeting:
• Minors on licensed premises and identification methods
• Service of intoxicated persons
• Unacceptable behaviour on premises
• Persons remaining on premises after hours
We all have a role to play in keeping our community safe and by working together we can make a difference to reduce alcohol related harms and to be more effective in our responses.
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