Revamp of liquor laws in the offing

Longer opening hours and year-round trading could be on the way for Perth’s small bars.

That comes as part of a wide review of the Liquor Control Act, which will focus on improving the state's licensing framework, enhancing harm minimisation, improving industry education and instituting simpler systems.

Consultation will begin this month with options to be considered next year and legislation drated by 2024.

Announcing the review at Helvetica Bar this morning, Racing and Gaming Minister Tony Buti said everything would be on the table throughout the consultation process.

That includes a review of trading hour restrictions.

Under current licensing laws, bars can stay open until midnight from Monday to Friday, 1am on Saturday nights, 10pm on Sunday nights, and 2am on New Year’s Eve.

Further restrictions apply on Good Friday and Christmas Day.

“Every sensible idea from industry will be looked at very, very carefully,” Mr Buti said.

Australian Hotels Association WA boss Bradley Woods highlighted several opportunities to reform the Act, including removing the meal requirement for patrons buying drinks on Good Friday or Christmas Day.

“We would also welcome a comprehensive review into the various conditions that are placed on licenses to ensure they are warranted, able to facilitate customer expectations and are mindful of current business settings," he said.

Today’s news follows yesterday’s passage through the lower house of amendments to the Act which designate Northbridge, Perth, Fremantle, Scarborough, Hillarys and Mandurah as protected entertainment precincts.

These precincts will allow the state’s police commissioner to issue exclusion orders of between six months and five years, depending on circumstances, to people convicted of serious violent offences.

Fines of $12,000 or imprisonment of between two and five years will apply to those who breach mandatory orders.

Mr Buti mentioned those reforms today when asked whether the state government would consider allowances for public drinking, currently prohibited under the Act.

“There’s a balance between harm minimisation and also having a safe environment,” he said.

“As I said … we did pass the protected entertainment precinct legislation, which will now go the upper house.

“That’s part of making sure we have a safe environment for people to enjoy themselves.”

The sale of alcohol in supermarkets will also not be addressed in the review.