New Approach to Liquor Law Enforcement
In a bid to improve public safety and to combat alcohol-fuelled violence the State Government today launched its newest initiative, the liquor licensing Compliance Directorate.
The directorate will comprise of 40 inspectors who will combine their efforts with Victoria Police to more intensely monitor Victoria’s licensed venues and impose appropriate penalties where breaches of liquor laws are found.
At this morning’s launch, Consumer Affairs Minister Tony Robinson said this initiative will “promote public safety in an around Victoria’s entertainment precincts by improving licensees’ business and venue management practices.”
“The way licensees run their businesses has a direct impact on the safety of their patrons inside and the community outside their venues,” Mr Robinson said.
“Licensees have obligations to support and promote responsible alcohol consumption and the new Compliance Directorate will ensure those obligations are being met across Victoria.”
Directorate Inspectors start their duties this week and have been armed with extensive powers to assist in identifying breaches and enforcing liquor laws.
Their powers include the right to enter and inspect premises, ask for proof of age, seize liquor from a minor, issue infringement notices and obtain search warrants from the Magistrates’ Court.
No licensed venue in Victoria will be exempt from Directorate scrutiny and Inspectors can enter premises at any time during opening hours to perform inspections.
“Victoria Police will remain the frontline of enforcement and community protection but will be greatly assisted by the operations of the compliance directorate,” Mr Robinson said.
The initiative has been well received by Victoria Police, Inspector David Blencowe said the Directorate will be a welcome boost to the work already carried out by police.
“The new directorate underpins our efforts to address the small percentage of licensed premises that cause most of the alcohol-related issues,” he said.
Read the media release