A new incentives and demerit point system kicked in on Friday, January 1 for all liquor licence holders across the state.
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Liquor and Gaming NSW have implemented the program to help provide clarity regarding rules, regulations and penalties, along with removing outdated or ineffective guidelines.
The new system aims to:
- replace the Minors Sanctions, Violent Venues and Three Strikes schemes
- incentivise well-run venues, minimise violence and reduce serious liquor law breaches
- offer ongoing annual liquor licence fee discounts for licensed venues that maintain a clear record (after three and five years)
A spokesperson for Liquor & Gaming NSW said they will continue to monitor licensed venues, taking into account previous compliance history when planning which venues to proactively inspect.
"The bill revokes existing strikes against licensees, given the merging of the schemes under a single 'demerit' approach, however any remedial action taken against a venue as a result of a strike/s would continue," they said.
"For example, if a venue was required to have additional security guards or close earlier as a result of a previous strike, these conditions would still stand.
"Where strikes resulted in higher licence fees for a venue, these would also remain payable as part of their compliance history risk loadings under the annual liquor licence fee system.
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"A licensee's compliance history, such as having previously incurred a strike, would also be considered when determining demerit penalties or conditions.
The system has been welcomed by hotels and clubs across the Central West and Western NSW with licensee's agreeing that the program is a better strategy.
Mark Murphy from the Orange Liquor Accord and owner of the Metropolitan Hotel, said it was great to see a positive outlook with the new system.
"While is is important to have penalties for those doing the wrong thing, it's great to see some positive incentives put in place for those who are doing the right thing," he said.
"The system will help make things better than before and gives pretty clear guidelines as to the rewards and discounts available for venues who have a good, clean record, along with punishments for venues breaking the law."
Bathurst's Paddy's Hotel Manager, Luke Mulligan, agreed saying the system is an improvement.
"It's not a matter of pubs and clubs not knowing the laws, but the new system is fairer across the board," he said.
"We know the laws and comply or adhere to them as best as possible, so the clearer things can be with legislation around rules, practices and what punishments are in place, the better."
New incentives for venues that maintain a clear record include:
- 5 per cent discount on the base fee and trading hours risk loading after three years
- 10 per cent discount on the base fee and trading hours risk loading after five years
Remedial action and additional costs for venues that incur demerit points include:
- payment of additional licence fees as part of annual compliance loadings and non-eligibility for discounts
- may face additional remedial action, if multiple demerits are accrued for offences and incidents that all occur at the same premises, ranging from new licence conditions to temporary licence suspension
The arrival of the new system has coincided with the NSW Government requirement for all hospitality venues to use the NSW Government QR code from 12pm on January 1.
From midday, businesses must record customer contact details using the NSW Government COVID Safe Check-in App with individual and business penalties applying for non-compliance.
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