Demerit Points for Licensees Who Breach Liquor Laws
The State Government is introducing legislation to establish a demerit point system to improve Victoria's liquor licensing system and penalise licensees who breach the law, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Michael O'Brien said.
Under the new system, liquor licensees caught breaching serious liquor licensing laws will incur demerit points in addition to fines.
Liquor licences will automatically be suspended for a fixed period if they reach a demerit points threshold.
Demerit points will remain active for a period of three years until cleared.
Mr O'Brien said the State Government is contributing to a safer and more responsible liquor industry.
"Any licensee that incurs enough demerit points in any three-year period will have its liquor licence automatically suspended for a fixed time,” Mr O’Brien said.
"This will not only hit a badly-run business in the hip pocket, it will also hit its reputation.”
Incurring five demerit points in any three-year period will trigger an automatic 24 hours suspension, while 10 points will lead to a seven days suspension and 15 points will result in a 28 days suspension.