ARTICLE
Acting Inspector Ben Duffey - Tasmania Police
The Tasmania Police Licensing Branch provides oversight to all licenses and permits that are issued by Liquor and Gaming, Treasury Department of Tasmania. This includes restaurants, pubs, clubs and even school libraries. This oversight is also extended to permit holders who have applied for a one-off permit for a special event. The Licensing Branch will provide advice, guidance and collaborate with both licensees and permit holders however, there are differing levels of expectations between permit holders who have a one-off event and licensees who conduct their business on a daily basis. Permit holders who have applied for a one off permit for an event such as a quiz night or a fund raising awards night for a local sporting team, are provided with some leniency due to their unfamiliarity with detailed legislative provisions. Guidance, support and detailed advice is provided by the Licensing Branch who take this unfamiliarity into consideration when simple offences are identified. However, licensees are expected to have a thorough and detailed understanding of their legislative requirements, with an expectation that they will adhere to legislative provisions and maintain a high standard in regard to their legislative requirements.
During the 2018-2019 financial year, the Licensing Branch continued to focus on providing guidance, support and education to licensees which included some licensees being issued with warnings for first- time offences. However, for this financial year (2019-2020), there is an expectation that all licensees will abide by their legislative requirements. Warnings will not be issued for simple signage obligations or lack of RSA certificates. The safety of the community, patrons and licensees is always at the forefront of the Licensing Branch and as such, a high standard is expected. Under the Liquor Licensing Act, 1990, patrons who act in a quarrelsome / violent manner or fail to leave a licensed premises after being directed to do so can also receive infringement notices. The issuing of infringement notices to patrons has been successfully adopted and is aimed at maintaining the safety of the community, protecting licensees and maintaining high standards for licensed premises. By providing CCTV surveillance and being prepared to complete a signed statement, the likelihood of Tasmania Police identifying and successfully prosecuting members of the public who continually cause trouble for licenses is increased.
December 2019 www.tha.asn.au
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