Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-05-05 Daily Xml

Contents

Liquor Licensing

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (16:00): My question is directed to the Leader of the Government. Can the minister explain the reasons why the administration of the Liquor Licensing Act has now been placed in the hands of the Minister for Planning? What will the Minister for Planning now be responsible for in relation to liquor licensing and what, if anything, will the minister be responsible for?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (16:00): This government is always in the process of trying to improve the way it does its machinery of government. The liquor licensing responsibilities have now been delegated to the Minister for Planning. The Minister for Planning is currently the minister responsible for the priority around the vibrant city initiatives, enlivening public space and our streets, etc.

Obviously, liquor licensing has a lot to do in that space. He is also about to undertake a significant planning review. It was thought that it would be an efficient and effective thing to do to enable him to include licensing issues when he undertakes that review as well, because they are so closely related. So the Attorney has responsibility for the Liquor Licensing Act and all other policy and regulatory matters around liquor licensing for the time being.