Liquor Control Reform Act 1998
The Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 is the primary piece of legislation regulating the supply and consumption of liquor in Victoria. The Act aims to:
- minimise the harm arising from the misuse and abuse of alcohol by:
(a) providing adequate controls over the supply and consumption of liquor
(b) ensuring as far as practicable that the supply of liquor contributes to, rather than detracting from the amenity of community life - facilitate the development of a range of licensed facilities reflecting community expectations
- contribute to the responsible development of the liquor and licensed hospitality industries.
The Act provides penalties for failing to comply with licence conditions or other breaches of the Act. These include fines, licence suspension and cancellation. Examples of behaviour prohibited under the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 include:
- unlicensed selling of liquor
- consuming or possessing liquor on an unlicensed premises
- underage drinking
- public drunkenness
- anti-social behaviour in and around licensed premises
- disturbance of the neighbourhood amenity.