HSA July 2023

KEY ISSUES
From the CEO
ANNA MOELLER
In the words of our outgoing and
longstanding CEO Ian Horne one
of the greatest strengths of the
AHA|SA is our stability. As I write
this column on day two in the role
I am reminded of my initial response
when asked what my plans were
moving forward. There was no
question in my mind that what
was needed was evolution not
revolution.
The legacy left by Ian after a total of
33 years at the AHA is an incredibly
strong and sound one to build upon.
And indeed the show must and is
going on in the liquor, gaming and
accommodation spaces.
On 1 July 2023 the Accommodation
Association of Australia (AAOA)
and Tourism Accommodation
Australia (TAA) merged, with the
new Accommodation Australia
(AA) enabling the industry to move
forward through one united voice.
We look forward to welcoming and
working with members both new
and old.
The gaming space is always
active and this has certainly not
changed. Gaming Codes of Practice
are currently under review and
as always we continue to work
closely with both the regulator and
government to maintain the balance
of both a vibrant industry economy
along with an approach to harm
minimisation that is arguably the
best in the nation.
“There was no
question in my
mind that what
was needed was
evolution not
revolution.”
Also under review is the approach
to trading rounds. The Licensing
and Gambling Commissioner
is now undertaking targeted
consultation to gauge support for
modifications to the rules of the
approved trading system. We have
been a strong advocate for some
time now for the adoption of a
streamlined ‘open market’ approach
to trading entitlements and we are
hopeful that the proposals under
consideration will go some way to
achieving just that.
The licensing environment is also
under scrutiny. Whilst reform in this
space is most often approached
with great apprehension by the
hotel industry, on this occasion it
should be seen as an opportunity.
In many ways it will be our chance
to reform the last set of reforms
that in practice risk undermining
the value of hotels, thereby placing
at risk their capacity to employ and
remain the centre piece of their
communities.
Finally over my past almost four
years with the AHA I have had the
pleasure of meeting and interacting
with many of you. Whilst I can’t
promise you a tally of 33 years I
do look forward to continuing to
engage with you all into the future,
learning from you and working with
you to protect and promote our
wonderful industry.
Anna Moeller,
AHA|SA CEO
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