The main goal of the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 is harm minimisation. The Act states that we should have a focus on managing alcohol-related harm. Harm can happen to anyone, but we need to be especially aware of minors, vulnerable people and communities.
Liquor Control Victoria must balance competing priorities. We must help and support the industry to grow. But, we must take every step to reduce the impacts of alcohol-related harm on the community.
The risk of alcohol-related harm changes constantly. Factors that might increase risk of harm are trading hours or the number of patrons. But certain business activities involving the supply of liquor can also be risky.
It is your responsibility to be careful when and how you supply liquor. But also of who you supply liquor to. LCV expects you to focus on mitigating and reducing the risk of alcohol-related harm in your venue. But you must also think about your risk to the broader community.
Liquor is a key contributor to the Victorian economy
Drinking alcohol is widely recognised as a cultural and social activity across Australia. Over 80% of adults say they consume liquor. Manufacturing, selling and consumption of liquor play key roles in the Australian economy. The industry includes a wide variety of business such as alcohol producers, wholesalers and the hospitality and events industry. Together, the liquor industry employs a significant part of Victoria’s workforce. In 2019, The Department of Justice and Community Safety released a regulatory impact statement which stated 215,000 jobs in Victoria were in the food and beverage industry.
Harms associated with the consumption of alcohol
LCV has an obligation to minimise the harm that alcohol may cause to the community.
Alcohol-related harm can come in many forms, such as:
- addiction
- job loss
- family violence, physical and sexual assault
- drink driving
- increased crime rates
- health issues such as:
o high blood pressure
o heart and liver disease
o mental health problems
o increased risks of certain cancers and in extreme cases, death.
In 2001, the Victorian Burden of Disease Study: mortality and morbidity found that alcohol is one of the top 10 avoidable causes of death and disease in Victoria. More than 5,500 deaths and 157,000 hospitalisations are attributed to alcohol consumption every year.
The consumption of alcohol has inherent risks of harm. LCV has a priority to minimise harms, but it is important that we all work towards this goal together.
How you can help minimise the risks of alcohol-related harm
All licensees and permittees have obligations under the Act. You must work to reduce harm from the supply of alcohol to your patrons, but also the community.
It is important to us that we work together as an industry to support each other, but also protect our community. LCV expects you to take actions to mitigate and minimise alcohol-related harms. We want to know what measures and procedures you will take or have in place to minimise harm.
To help you get started, we have put together a list of your obligations as a licensee. We have also given some examples of methods you could put in place to help further reduce alcohol-related harm.
LCV is always interested in any new or innovative methods you can bring to the community to keep us all safe.
Example
A small bar in a commercial area with a small number of patrons trades until 3am. This is a venue with a high risk trading profile. They are required to adhere to their obligations. But to keep their patrons safe they have also:
- installed security cameras at the venue
- put a venue management plan and gender-based violence prevention and response plan in place
- decided to stop selling shots after 11pm.
Venues that operate in an unsafe manner
LCV may visit your venue to make sure you are meeting your obligations and have appropriate risk reducing measures in place. If you do not comply with your obligations, LCV may need to take action and you may:
- pay higher renewal fees for your liquor licence
- incur demerit points
- receive a fine, or be prosecuted
- be disqualified from holding a liquor licence in Victoria.
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