House of Assembly Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2) 52 2 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time Late Night Trading Code of Practice LATE NIGHT TRADING CODE OF PRACTICE Mr BIGNELL House of Assembly Mawson LATE NIGHT TRADING CODE OF PRACTICE Mr BIGNELL (Mawson) (14:38): My question is to the Minister for Business Services and Consumers. Can the minister inform the house about the progress of the draft late night trading code of practice? The Hon. J.R. RAU House of Assembly Enfield Deputy Premier Attorney-General Minister for Planning Minister for Business Services and Consumers LATE NIGHT TRADING CODE OF PRACTICE The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:38): Yes. Can I thank the honourable member for his question. On 17 October the Premier and I released a draft late night trading code of practice inviting the community to provide feedback. Six weeks were provided for submissions and that consultation period ends this Friday, 30 November. Ms Chapman House of Assembly Ms Chapman: Are they on the website? The Hon. J.R. RAU House of Assembly The Hon. J.R. RAU: Tune in next week and see how we go. So far Consumer and Business Services has received 24 submissions. I am advised that a number of industry bodies and other significant groups are still preparing their formal submissions and they have advised the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner that they will be contributing their feedback before the Friday deadline. We know that the links between excessive alcohol consumption, public disorder and criminal offences and injuries are well established. However, we also know that the vast majority of people enjoy their night out without causing any trouble. Unfortunately, all it takes is a couple of idiots to ruin a good night out. The government believes that we must strike a balance. The new late night trading code of practice needs to encourage a culture of responsible service and consumption of alcohol to minimise the social and economic harm caused by excessive alcohol consumption and to reduce the level of alcohol-related violence that occurs in or near licensed premises. Safer entertainment precincts will support the development of a more diverse, vibrant night-time economy and improve the community's feeling of safety when they are out at night. We want to encourage people to come into the city and enjoy everything Adelaide has to offer. The final late night code of practice is designed to be flexible in its application but firm in its consequences. A number of licensees across South Australia have already put in place some of these measures on a voluntary basis. The government has made it clear that this is a draft, and I would encourage any interested parties who are yet to do so to provide their feedback before close of business on Friday by visiting the Your SAy website at www.saplan.org.au/yoursay. The Hon. P.F. Conlon House of Assembly The Hon. P.F. Conlon: There is no v? The Hon. J.R. RAU House of Assembly The Hon. J.R. RAU: No; it is not five. These changes and today's announcement of a new licence category to encourage the establishment of small venues are about making Adelaide a more safe and vibrant place for people to live. I was delighted to be able to join with the Premier today in visiting Leigh Street. We went to one of the small venues there, a place called Udaberri, which I assume many in this place would have, at some time, visited. Some more than others, perhaps. That is an example of the sort of— The Hon. P.F. Conlon House of Assembly The Hon. P.F. Conlon: Is that somewhere near Booborowie? The Hon. J.R. RAU House of Assembly The Hon. J.R. RAU: It is nowhere near Booborowie. It is an example of the sort of small venue which offers a very different kind of experience for people who come into the city. It is extremely well run by the people who own the place; they are there all the time. The new category of small venue is going to offer a great opportunity because it is going to provide particularly young entrepreneurs with the possibility of a low dock, low capital expenditure entry into the business of making Adelaide a vibrant place.