QHA Review January 2018

Michael Sarquis OLGR
PROSECUTION – BRISBANE LICENSED PREMISES
The outcome of a recent Brisbane Magistrates Court
case and the harm resulting from the non-compliance
of the licensee underline the importance of licensees
taking their compliance responsibilities seriously.
A licensee operating a Brisbane CBD venue under
a nightclub liquor licence was found guilty of a
range of charges and fined $15,000. A conviction
was recorded.
Investigations carried out by OLGR began after major
issues in compliance standards were identified by
OLGR compliance inspectors at the premises. The
investigations also followed a serious incident where
it was alleged that a minor, found intoxicated and
unconscious in a city laneway, had been present at the
premises and had been consuming alcohol.
During the investigations, numerous Liquor Act
breaches were identified, including no approved
manager or crowd controller present, as required,
failure to prevent a minor entering the premises,
allowing alcohol to be consumed by a minor and failure
to maintain CCTV equipment.
Upon recording a conviction, the magistrate
emphasised that had a crowd controller been present
at this venue, along with an approved manager, the
minor involved may not have gained entry to the
premises.
KEEP UP TO DATE IN 2018
Begin 2018 by keeping up to date with the latest news
and information about the regulation of liquor and
gaming in Queensland.
To subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Inside Liquor
and Gaming, go to ‘Inside Liquor and Gaming
newsletter’ at www.business.qld.gov.au/liquor-gaming.
You can also pick up news and topical information
quickly and easily by liking OLGR on Facebook and
Twitter and viewing our training videos on YouTube.
Help us to keep you informed by updating your
contact details through the OLGR Client Portal. It only
takes three steps:
1. Visit the OLGR Client Portal: https://secure.olgr.
qld.gov.au/portal
2. Log in and select the licensee name or the
premises name.
3. Select postal or email address and make the
necessary changes (make sure you update your
changes to both the licensee and premises unless
you want them to be different).
If you haven’t activated your client portal account,
your activation code is located in your 2017 annual fee
letter or you can call the OLGR customer service team
on (07) 3224 7131.
Serve safe this Australia Day
Australia Day is traditionally a busy day for Queensland
Hoteliers.
Remember, you have an obligation to provide a safe
environment not only for patrons at your venue, but
also your employees and the wider community. Here’s
some tips to have a great Australia Day:
1. Larger crowds: Prepare for potentially larger
crowds and the increased risk this creates. Don’t
allow areas to become congested and employ the
right ratio of security to patrons.
2. Patron behaviour: Detect and deal with disorderly
patrons and prevent patrons from becoming
unduly intoxicated.
3. Look out for fake IDs: Ask patrons to remove ID
from wallets/purses for inspection, examine in a
well-lit area and check for anything unusual (lifted
laminate, smudges or blurring of date-of-birth).
4. Alcohol advertising and promotions: If you’re
planning to conduct alcohol promotions, remember
you’re required by law to encourage responsible
drinking and minimise harm.
For more information, go to ‘Patron and staff safety on
licensed premises’ and ‘Guideline 60 – Unacceptable
liquor practices and promotions in licensed venues’ at
www.business.qld.gov.au/liquor-gaming.
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