Woods works it for AHA and members statewide

There’s no doubt many of the State’s publicans would be impressed by the work of the Australian Hotels Association WA branch in recent times.

Their patrons can still smoke in the pub, bottle shops can’t open on a Sunday, beer excises have been dropped, and the outcomes from liquor-licensing reform have been favourable. 

These results have been achieved in major part through intense lobbying on behalf of the AHA, led by Bradley Woods.

Since taking on the role as executive director almost seven years ago, Mr Woods has played an integral part in achieving significant successes for his industry.

His first major gains came when the State’s Liquor Licensing Act was amended in 1998.

That was followed by some concessions to the industry in the face of proposed smoking ban legislation, and a role in the process that led to the Gallop Government’s decision to drop liquor-licensing reforms.

“My first challenge was to amendments to the liquor legislation in 1998, and we did have some wins,” Mr Woods said.

“Total smoking bans were to commence in August last year [it’s now partial smoking bans that come into effect in 2007] and we have had major industrial relations issues.

“We were under pressure to adopt a Federal system and we’re still under the State system. Moving across would have meant a 15 per cent increase in labour costs, which would have cost 10,000 jobs.”

The organisation is now actively pursuing both sides of government to ensure future legislation promotes the hotel industry in WA.

Surprisingly, the introduction of poker machines is not one of Mr Woods’ top three priorities.

“Both parties have made it clear about their position on the issue,” he said.

“There will come a time when people will ask why they are paying so much tax when there is a $200 million revenue stream available from poker machines.”

The AHA’s current points of focus are liquor-licensing reform, tourism funding, and the implementation of smoking ban regulations.

Mr Woods and his16-strong team, five of whom play an active role in lobbying government, are seeking policy commitments on behalf of WA’s major political parties on these and other issues affecting the AHA’s membership base.

Mr Woods believes he secured a commitment from the (then) Gallop-led Labor opposition about its intentions regarding liquor reform if it won power.

Mr Woods claims that, after forming government, Labor had a change of heart and announced liquor-licensing reforms in 2003, in response to a National Competition Council Review.

Six months later the Government withdrew it legislative proposals.

“The Government had said for three years that it would not pursue a policy [on Sunday trading for bottle shops and restaurants serving alcohol without serving meals] and we had guarantees that it wouldn’t; then overnight this policy [legislative reform] was announced.

“We had a job to do and that was to get the Government to undertake a proper consultative review.

“We engaged the normal process of lobbying. We have the benefit of a network of members, 700 hotels and other businesses that are members.”

But while a Liquor Licensing independent review has been announced Mr Woods is still seeking the same assurances from both the Labor and the Liberal parties.

“We are looking for governments to be transparent. There is a review but does the Labor Party have a view? Do they support or do they reject it? What is their position? Our members need to know is it what it was last time or has there been a change?

“Once we know what their policies are we will put together a policy portfolio and present it to the industry so they get a clear understanding.”

Mr Woods rejects claims the AHA uses the threat of a million-dollar fighting fund to wage campaigns against governments that do not support the industry, although he said the AHA certainly could secure large sums if needed.

“The association has resources at its disposal and whether that is for a fighting fund or for other services is a decision we would make,” he said.

“We have revenue streams but is there a specific fighting fund to fight the Labor Government? No.”

The AHA also has powerful allies in the State’s regions. With half the association’s 640 members based in regional and rural WA, the political fallout for country MPs can be significant if they get offside with publicans and their voting patrons.

It’s believed a number of country-based Labor MPs opposed the Government’s proposed liquor-licensing legislation.

But liquor licensing reform is not the only issue the AHA is seeking political support.

It also wants a bigger commitment for tourism funding and assistance for the industry for the introduction of partial smoking bans.

“We want to promote WA as an international tourism destination,” Mr Woods said. 

“We are competing with a more aggressive marketplace.

“Since September 11 and events after like the Ansett Collapse, SARS, and Bali there has been a substantial increase in competition from the market.

“Places like Egypt are marketing themselves more aggresively in the UK.

“Victoria just added $35 million to its event marketing, Singapore has added $40 million on international marketing and this is on top of what they’re already spending.

“In the lead-up to the election there will be a focus on these areas so that we can deliver better outcomes to that sector.

“The minister and the premier have talked about tourism being the second economic front, but to do that there needs to be a substantial increase in funding.

“There needs to be a 25 per cent increase in the marketing budget of the WA Tourism Commission and a doubling of the funding to Events Corp, a further $10 to $11 million.”

Mr Woods is also seeking support assistance from the Government to ensure future bans on smoking will not disrupt hotel business.

Hotels will only be allowed one room for smokers from 2007, while cabaret licence holders will be forced to go 100 per cent smoke free.

“We want to identify strategies and move forward so the industry can continue to adapt and survive in a framework of change that recognises issues of the consumer and health,” Mr Woods said. “We want to make sure restrictions doesn’t disrupt business overnight.

“There are a range of things we will seek [from Government] to continue to improve and enhance a better delivery of services to the consumer.”

AHA at a glance 

• 640 members, 85 per cent of the State's hotel industry.
• Recently retired AHA president and Subiaco Hotel owner Michael Monaghan recruited Mr Woods seven years ago.
• Before joining the AHA WA, Mr Woods was the executive director of the Tasmanian branch and was successful in introducing poker machines to the island State.
• AHA WA State executive members: Neil Randall, Paddington Ale House (president); John Hall, Greenwood Hotel (senior vice-president); David Strom, Leisure Inn, Rockingham (vice-president); Tony Pallotta, The Melbourne Hotel (treasurer); Martin Pearson-Jones, The Broome Brewery (country representative); Fred Lemmone, The Parade Hotel, Bunbury (country representative).

AHA Policy & Future Focus 

• Does not support Sunday trading for bottle shops.
• Is opposed to smoking bans in pubs.
• Wants greater funding for tourism.
• Is in negotiations with the Miscellaneous Workers' Union to reform the Award many of its members' employees are under.
• Is opposed to restaurants serving alcohol without serving a meal.
• Wants changes to the operation and processes handled by the liquor licensing authority.
• Wants to introduce poker machines into pubs in WA.
• Is developing skill development strategies to encourage longevity in the industry.