The long-awaited amendments to WA's Liquor Licensing Act were introduced to parliament today.
The long-awaited amendments to WA's Liquor Licensing Act were introduced to parliament today.
Under the amendments it is proposed that, among other things, liquor stores may be able to sell alcohol on Sundays and restaurants will also have more flexibility to be able to serve alcohol without a meal.
The changes are considered important to the WA business community, large sections of which feel the current laws are antiquated and make it difficult to present Perth as an international capital to those visiting on business, for liesure or considering working here.
In a statement, racing and gaming minister Mark McGowan said the government wants to reform WA's archaic Liquor Licensing Act to give increased choice for consumers, greater tourism benefits, and a major boost to small business and entrepreneurs.
"Our economy is booming, more people are visiting to do business, and the community wants better entertainment options," he said.
The legislation also would include new measures to combat anti-social behaviour and alcohol related harm, he said.
If the new laws are passed, restaurants may be able to serve liquor without a meal, new small bar licences may be created and liquor stores may be allowed to open on Sundays in line with hotel bottle shops.
The Minister said he hoped the Liberal Party would support the changes.
The Club Movement of Western Australia also gave its support to the reforms.
An announcement from the Minister's Office is pasted below
The long awaited legislation to reform Western Australian liquor licensing laws was unveiled in State Parliament this morning.
Racing and Gaming Minister Mark McGowan said the amendments to the Liquor Licensing Act would provide increased choice for consumers, greater tourism benefits, and a major boost to small business and entrepreneurs.
The legislation would also include new measures to combat anti-social behaviour and alcohol related harm.
Key changes included:
- giving restaurants more flexibility to serve liquor without a meal;
- creating a new 'small bar' licence category to encourage a more vibrant family-friendly café-style drinking culture;
- setting up a new Liquor Commission to replace the Liquor Licensing Court, to provide a less legalistic and less costly licensing process;
- replacing the anti-competitive 'needs' based test for new licences with a fairer 'public interest' test;
- allowing metropolitan liquor stores to open on Sundays, in line with hotel bottle shops; and
- new policing and harm minimisation measures to promote responsible drinking.
"WA needs these reforms - our economy is booming, more people are visiting to do business, and the community wants better entertainment options," the Minister said.
"These changes are about introducing a more sensible, safe and diverse drinking culture to WA.
"They will also bring benefits to small businesses and support the tourism industry in WA."
Mr McGowan said the State Government had consulted widely on its package of reforms and had received support from a wide range of business, tourism and health advisory groups.
"I strongly urge the Liberal Party to support this legislation, which will benefit thousands of small businesses around WA," he said.
"Consumers in WA have been neglected for far too long and this package of reforms will put their interests first."