ADELAIDE FESTIVAL CENTRE

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (14:34): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Consumer Affairs a question about licensing compliance at the Adelaide Festival Centre.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: On 8 June a leaked report on the safety of the Adelaide Festival Centre was discussed on ABC morning radio. The 45 page report highlighted a number of issues, particularly on fire safety. It highlighted problems such as thermal detectors that had been painted over, goods stacked in emergency exit walkways, water-based fire extinguishers where there should be chemical-based fire extinguishers, no audible warning signal in certain parts of the venue, and the list goes on. As the holder of the liquor licence, the venue must comply with certain standards of health and safety. This report would seem to indicate that the safety of the Festival Centre is questionable. My questions are:

1. Is the minister satisfied that the Adelaide Festival Centre is complying with all the conditions of its liquor licence, and when was the last time an inspector from the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner conducted an inspection of the Adelaide Festival Centre?

2. Is the minister satisfied that the staff and customers of the Adelaide Festival Centre are safe when working at, or attending, the centre?

3. Given the reported noncompliance with acceptable occupational health and safety standards, will the minister or commissioner consider disciplinary action against the Adelaide Festival Centre such as suspension of its liquor licence?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:35): Inspections are done periodically by the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner. They are done throughout the year on an ongoing and fairly routine basis. I am not sure when the Adelaide Festival Centre was last inspected but I can assure members that, if noncompliance came to the attention of inspectors, either through their routine inspection or complaints—that is the other means by which the office follows up issues—there is a process that is put in place to ensure that the operator, or the licence holder, fulfils all its requirements to ensure that it has a place that meets all appropriate standards. I would expect that exactly the same set of principles would pertain to the Adelaide Festival Centre.

As I said, I am not sure when that premises was last inspected. Where issues of concern are identified, inspectors tend to work with licence holders to reach agreement on a plan of action to ensure that full compliance is reached within a reasonable period of time. If there is a failure to do that, then prosecution or action usually follows. That is usually the way matters are dealt with. As I said, I cannot imagine that other conditions would apply to this particular venue. In relation to the other matters raised by the member, I am happy to take them on notice and bring back a response.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Stephens has a supplementary question.