24 Aug 2010
Parliament is considering a bill introduced by the Minister for Racing, Gaming & Liquor that proposed a new system that will introduce two levels of Managers’ Licence; one of which will be specific for clubs. Director of Liquor Licensing has advised of his version of the system and clubs should have received that circular by the time this note reaches you.
The fundamentals of this new system follows Clubs WA submissions after the fallout to the operation of the new Liquor Control Act in 2007 and we support the thrust of the legislation while having a closer look at all the variables that may be applied with other regulation and Director policy.
We will seek clarity on several key points:
• Approval process and form lodgement with the Department - Due to the large numbers from each club that will apply to become a Restricted Manager, we believe a simpler process should apply in the first instance.
• How new signage requirements and Temporary Manager legislation will apply.
• Process where Director may link larger clubs with the unrestricted Approved Manager requirements ; But this is far more favourable than past history where all clubs were locked into a standard system.
On the face of materials before us at this time, Clubs WA is satisfied that the legislative changes appear to be positive for clubs and we are currently locked into urgent and ongoing discussions with the Director of Liquor Licensing and the legislators to ensure the final outcomes reflect that belief.