LIQUOR LICENSING CODE OF PRACTICE

The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:30): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Consumer Affairs a question about the review of the liquor licensing code of practice.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: A number of community groups have contacted the Liberal Party with concerns that they will be required to have all staff trained in responsible service of alcohol. I am specifically talking about those community clubs, like sporting and recreational associations, that have a liquor licence for their clubrooms and rely solely, or in the main, on volunteer help to staff their facility. A review of the liquor licensing code of practice has brought with it concerns for such organisations that mandatory training for all staff will be required. In the review of the code of practice for licensed premises released on 21 July, it stated that there will be exemption for all small, volunteer-based community organisations. My questions to the minister are:

1. What is the exemption that will be made?

2. What do you mean by 'small, volunteer-based community groups'? Can you define them? Is there a size?

3. Will community organisations be required to apply for the exemption from the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner?

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) (15:31): I thank the honourable member for her most important and sensible questions. Indeed, the review—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I am very happy to give a sensible answer, Mr President, as all my answers are. In fact, members would be aware that we have recently put out two discussion papers, one looking at a range of reforms relating to liquor licensing and the other relating to reforming our code of conduct and a range of initiatives that are designed to improve alcohol-fuelled behaviour. As we know, some of that conduct, particularly around our licensed venues in and around our entertainment areas, has become untenable. A series of measures are being considered.

We are currently at the tail end of a consultation period. Members of the public have had at least six weeks to consider proposals that have been put and to respond to them and put forward any other views or ideas that they might have, and we will welcome those. That part of the process has not been completed yet, but as soon as that has been completed we will collate those comments and look at what the attitudes are and what other proposals are being put. At this point in time it is only a discussion paper. The details of these proposals, including the mandatory training around responsible service of alcohol, are only proposals at this point in time. The details have not yet been fully explored or decisions made. We look forward to identifying relevant issues throughout the consultation period.

I have also had the pleasure of meeting with a wide range of different stakeholder groups. A range of issues and details will need to be worked through. We are very committed to working with the industry and other relevant stakeholders to resolve those details. As yet, the details around the exemptions have not been established. As I said, we are prepared to continue to engage and consult with relevant stakeholders to ensure that we improve standards of safety. I think South Australia is one of the only states that does not have mandatory training for responsible service of alcohol, so we are out of step there. At this point almost all other states have it, so we need to keep in step. We have indicated that we are prepared to look at exemptions in some circumstances and are prepared to work with the industry to establish and work through the details we would need to make this operational.