AusLeisure

The ACT Government has passed the Liquor (Night-Time Economy) Amendment Bill 2024, highlighting the their commitment to supporting businesses and boosting Canberra’s night-time economy through responsible, fit-for-purpose and flexible regulation.

ACT Minister for Government Services and Regulatory Reform, Tara Cheyne, explained that the reforms will deliver a more flexible and responsive regulatory environment and are designed to support small and medium-sized venues diversify their business models and attract new clientele.

Minister Cheyne advised “we’re investing in the ACT’s night-time economy through better regulation and enshrining in legislation the ACT Government’s commitment to live music, entertainment and tourism.

“Canberra is building a reputation as Australia’s Arts Capital and a destination of choice for business and tourism alike. A strong, vibrant, and diverse night-time economy is essential to the continued growth of our tourism and visitor economy.

“We're continuously looking at ways we can further enhance the city’s night-time experience while balancing the need to ensure community safety. Safety is always a priority..

“Regulation needs to be agile and fit the needs of businesses, while taking into consideration harm minimisation and community safety. When drafting the amendments, a key priority was to ensure there was the right balance of creating a more vibrant and responsive night-time economy with a risk-based approach and ensuring the safety of staff and patrons alike.”

Reforms to commence in April 2024 include:

• Allowing more businesses to supply complimentary liquor without a licence: This will provide flexibility for businesses wishing to provide a boutique service to their clients where the supply of complimentary alcohol is ancillary to the purpose of the business, allowing for new and inventive business models.
• Enshrining in legislation the ACT Government’s commitment to the development of the ACT’s night-time economy: Amendments to the Objects of the Liquor Act 2010 will enshrine a legislative commitment to the responsible development of the ACT’s night-time economy.

It will also ensure that any decision under the Act considers the benefits to industry, community and local economy, while also observing harm minimisation and community safety principles.

Amendments to the Objects of the Liquor Act 2010 aligns the ACT with other Australian jurisdictions, including NSW, QLD, VIC and SA, who have enshrined support for the night-time economy, live music and tourism in their liquor licensing frameworks.

Additional reforms relating to extended trading hours, interim liquor licences and a reduction in annual licence fees for eligible licensees for supporting live music and the arts are expected to commence July 2024.

Further information on the ACT Government’s night-time economy reforms can be found at www.cmtedd.act.gov.au/policystrategic/better-regulation-taskforce/canberras-night-time-economy.

Related Articles

24th December 2023 - New Western Australian laws ban 82 offenders from attending popular night precincts

15th December 2023 - Survey results show Christchurch community want a vibrant night-time economy

4th July 2023 - New guidelines introduced to boost Melbourne’s night-time economy

29th May 2023 - Parramatta secures Purple Flag accreditation in recognition of its night-time offerings

3rd May 2023 - Leaders of global night-time economy cities share insights at NEON Sydney

28th April 2023 - $200,000 grants for Western Sydney arts and cultural venues to stay open at night

1st December 2022 - New night-time destinations showcased for Sydney

22nd September 2022 - Australian night-time economy report spotlights Hobart’s strong performance

22nd April 2022 - $500,000 injected into eclectic mix of night events for Newcastle CBD

3rd March 2022 - Parramatta Nights event returns to re-energise the CBD precinct

31st March 2021 - Sydney’s new planning rules aim to revitalise $4 billion night-time economy

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.