❓ Mr. Logan questions the Minister for Racing and Gaming about the rejection of small bar license applications for The Precinct and Cafe Royal, highlighting the financial investment and community support involved. The Minister acknowledges the concerns, explains the independent decision-making process, and indicates a future review of the liquor act.
AnsweredQoN 194Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SMALL BAR LICENCE APPLICATIONS
194. Mr F.M. LOGAN to the Minister for Racing and Gaming:
I draw the minister's attention to the problems being
faced by small businesses that have applied for small bar licences through the
minister's department and been rejected.
(1) Can the
minister explain why The Precinct bar in Victoria Park had its application for
a small bar licence rejected, and does he agree with that decision?
(2) Can the
minister explain why the Cafe Royal bar in Cockburn had its application for a
small bar licence rejected, and does he agree with that decision?
(3) Is the
minister aware that the applicants have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars
getting to this point and received enormous support from the local community?
194. Mr F.M. LOGAN to the Minister for Racing and Gaming:
I draw the minister's attention to the problems being
faced by small businesses that have applied for small bar licences through the
minister's department and been rejected.
(1) Can the
minister explain why The Precinct bar in Victoria Park had its application for
a small bar licence rejected, and does he agree with that decision?
(2) Can the
minister explain why the Cafe Royal bar in Cockburn had its application for a
small bar licence rejected, and does he agree with that decision?
(3) Is the
minister aware that the applicants have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars
getting to this point and received enormous support from the local community?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I
will just make a couple of points. The member saw me two days ago regarding the
second part of the question—namely, the bar in Cockburn. I just make
the point that the independent Director of Liquor Licensing makes the decisions
on these applications, so I will not comment on specific cases, but I will give
the member an answer. The information that I have now is that one is being
appealed. Therefore, I have to let that appeal process take place. I take on
board the issues the member raised with me. The member for Victoria Park raised
with me yesterday, or the night before, issues regarding the bar in Victoria
Park. The member is not here today. I have asked for information on that and
that decision has been made as per the process.
We have to remember that the small
bar licensing process and legislation was set up by the previous government. I
think it did a good job and I acknowledge that it did a good job. But there are
some areas that I have issues with, which I discussed with the member for
Cockburn the other day and also with the member for Victoria Park, particularly
the issue of someone whose application is refused, having to wait a period of
three years. I think that is something we need to look at, and a review of the
liquor act is something I plan to do. However, I point out that that was set up
under the previous government. There was probably a really good reason for it.
One of the things is that we do not want people who are rejected reapplying the
next day, but I think that three years is something we need to look at.
I will just let members know the
current situation with small bars, and they have been a success. Currently, 64 small
bar licences have been granted and only four have been refused. The director
has to take into account the public interest test as set out in the legislation
that went through the Parliament. The granting of the licence is in the public
interest; they have to demonstrate that.
Mr
E.S. Ripper : Why are these ones against the public interest?
Mr
T.K. WALDRON : I cannot tell members that today. I am getting information. I
cannot comment on one of them because it is under appeal, and for the other one
I have asked for information, which I will speak to the member for Victoria
Park about. I have already given him that assurance. We have to remember that
64 licences have been granted, so there have been only four occasions on which
conditions have not been satisfied. Seven have been conditionally granted and a
further six are pending a decision, so if they all get through, there is
another 12. That would mean 72 that have been approved against four that have
not; it is about balance—I talk about that in this place all the time.
I think small bars are good for changing the drinking culture and that they
have been a success. I want to see them rolled out in an orderly manner, and
they have been, but the Director of Liquor Licensing has to make his decisions
under the legislation. However, when we have the review, we will have a good
look at that, and people will be able to make their submissions et cetera.
will just make a couple of points. The member saw me two days ago regarding the
second part of the question—namely, the bar in Cockburn. I just make
the point that the independent Director of Liquor Licensing makes the decisions
on these applications, so I will not comment on specific cases, but I will give
the member an answer. The information that I have now is that one is being
appealed. Therefore, I have to let that appeal process take place. I take on
board the issues the member raised with me. The member for Victoria Park raised
with me yesterday, or the night before, issues regarding the bar in Victoria
Park. The member is not here today. I have asked for information on that and
that decision has been made as per the process.
We have to remember that the small
bar licensing process and legislation was set up by the previous government. I
think it did a good job and I acknowledge that it did a good job. But there are
some areas that I have issues with, which I discussed with the member for
Cockburn the other day and also with the member for Victoria Park, particularly
the issue of someone whose application is refused, having to wait a period of
three years. I think that is something we need to look at, and a review of the
liquor act is something I plan to do. However, I point out that that was set up
under the previous government. There was probably a really good reason for it.
One of the things is that we do not want people who are rejected reapplying the
next day, but I think that three years is something we need to look at.
I will just let members know the
current situation with small bars, and they have been a success. Currently, 64 small
bar licences have been granted and only four have been refused. The director
has to take into account the public interest test as set out in the legislation
that went through the Parliament. The granting of the licence is in the public
interest; they have to demonstrate that.
Mr
E.S. Ripper : Why are these ones against the public interest?
Mr
T.K. WALDRON : I cannot tell members that today. I am getting information. I
cannot comment on one of them because it is under appeal, and for the other one
I have asked for information, which I will speak to the member for Victoria
Park about. I have already given him that assurance. We have to remember that
64 licences have been granted, so there have been only four occasions on which
conditions have not been satisfied. Seven have been conditionally granted and a
further six are pending a decision, so if they all get through, there is
another 12. That would mean 72 that have been approved against four that have
not; it is about balance—I talk about that in this place all the time.
I think small bars are good for changing the drinking culture and that they
have been a success. I want to see them rolled out in an orderly manner, and
they have been, but the Director of Liquor Licensing has to make his decisions
under the legislation. However, when we have the review, we will have a good
look at that, and people will be able to make their submissions et cetera.
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