Media Releases

The Nationals member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty said the Baillieu/Ryan government has introduced tough legislation into Parliament this month for increased penalties and new laws to deal with drunken, loutish and threatening anti-social behaviour.

“The Coalition is delivering on election commitments to give local police and licensees stronger powers to crack down on anti-social behaviour in and around licensed venues,” Mr Delahunty said.

The proposed amendments will assist police and licensees in deterring obnoxious, alcohol-fuelled behaviour.

The new changes include:

• increasing the on-the-spot fine for drunk and disorderly behaviour from $478 to more than $590 for the first offence, and more than $1,100 for a second or subsequent offence
• increasing the on-the-spot fine for revellers who fail to leave a licensed venue when drunk, violent or quarrelsome from $238.90 to $597.25
• a new offence to deal with drunks hanging around licensed premises after being refused entry or required to leave
• a new offence to deal with those attempting to re-enter a venue within 24 hours of being denied entry or required to leave a venue
• new powers for licensees and police officers to bar troublesome patrons from entering or remaining in a venue for a set period of time.

“The changes in legislation illustrate that antisocial behaviour won’t be tolerated and that people engaged in such behaviour can expect a punishment that will hurt,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Under these reforms, police and venue operators will have greater power to deal with people who get themselves drunk and cause trouble on the streets or in licensed venues.

“Under a Liberal Nationals Coalition Government, Victoria will have a responsible liquor licensing framework that strengthens laws related to both the prevention of and enforcement of powers to combat alcohol-related harm,” Mr Delahunty said.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty said the State Labor Government has caved in to enormous industry, public and political pressure and revised the liquor licence fees for sporting and community groups.

“Sporting and community groups have been hardest hit by the massive increases in liquor licence fees following the Brumby Government’s botched reforms and so-called risk based fee structure,” Mr Delahunty said.

“These groups will now benefit from changes to liquor licence fees with the introduction of fee discounts for eligible small clubs ahead of a full review of club licensing arrangements and fees in 2011.

“The effect of the Brumby Government’s ‘grab for cash’ has hurt many small businesses, community and sporting clubs across western Victoria.”

Mr Delahunty said small rural clubs are under enormous pressure because the small profits of alcohol sales do not cover the massive fee increases. Following a massive backlash the Brumby Government has now proposed the following changes;

·    Clubs with restricted club or renewable limited licences with fewer than 100 members will be given a 50 per cent reduction on 2011 renewal fees;

·    Clubs holding both a restricted club licence and a renewable limited licence will be eligible to apply for a discount of 50 per cent on each licence for the 2011 fee year;

·    Where clubs require additional temporary limited licences they will be able to apply for one licence that authorises up to 12 separate activities or events in a year;

·    Full club licensees wishing to move to a restricted club licence will have their variation fee waived. Clubs that make this transfer would reduce their 2011 renewal fee from $812.70 to $405.80 and save $174.70 on the variation fee.

In June this year bed and breakfasts, florists and giftmaker businesses who supply alcohol as an incidental part of their operations were given a reprieve with the removal of a yearly licence renewal fee.

Mr Delahunty said that the risk based licence fee structure was one of the most fundamentally flawed reforms brought in by the Brumby Labor Government.

“Many low volume places, such as takeaway outlets, have been harshly penalised by these so called reforms, forcing a number of businesses to downgrade trading hours, cut staff or surrender their licenses completely.

“Many regional businesses are struggling to cope with massive increases in fees such as liquor licence fees and the cost of the fire services levy, and it is about time the Brumby Government started to listen to the real concerns confronting many of these important businesses.”

“The Liberal-Nationals Coalition, in government, will review the risk based liquor licence fee structure and work toward implementing a more equitable system that does not unfairly penalise small liquor licensees in country Victoria,” Mr Delahunty said.

The Nationals member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty congratulates the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices is celebrating their 100 year Centenary throughout 2010.

“There have been a number of celebrations across Victoria to recognise the valuable contribution JP’s made to the community,” Mr Delahunty said.

“The JP’s in this region are doing great work. I know that many thousands of hours are being contributed witnessing documents throughout western Victoria.”

“I am also aware that JP’s volunteer on a roster basis to be present at police stations to witness documents and this has freed up considerable time for sworn police officers and left them with more time to get on with other important duties,” Mr Delahunty said.

“In am fortunate to have a Justice of the Peace as an electorate officer in Horsham and I know she is kept busy with people requiring documents certified or witnessed, which is another part of servicing the Lowan electorate,” Mr Delahunty said.

“I’m surprised by how much time is being given up freely by JP’s in serving their community, and I congratulate them for their tireless work,” Mr Delahunty said.