GAMBLING is a massive growth industry in Victoria, with punters losing more than $5.1 billion a year to Crown Casino, suburban poker machines, sports betting, online betting and race tracks. Gambling losses are up more than $700 million in four years.
In such a climate effective independent oversight of the industry is essential. Clearly, this task can't fall to the State Government — it reaps almost $1.6 billion a year from gambling taxes and consequently has a massive conflict of interest. Responsibility for regulating the booming gambling industry lies with the Commission for Gambling Regulation, established by the Bracks government in 2004.
The commission's role is to ensure "responsible gambling" but it is failing to act in the manner expected of an independent statutory body. It has become too chummy with gambling operators, such as Crown Casino, and with the Government.
Consider its fourth review of the casino operator licence — handed down last year — which described Crown Melbourne as being "at the forefront of Australian casinos" and meeting "the requirements of an international world class casino". It went so far as to applaud Crown as "a world leader" in dealing with problem gambling.
Is it really possible that the commission has forgotten that it is not there to champion and promote gambling. It appears so.
Consider these facts. Last week, the Supreme Court criticised Crown's treatment of at least one problem gambler, Harry Kakavas, who turned over $1.5 billion playing baccarat at Crown between June 2005 and August 2006, and failed in his bid to sue Crown for his losses.
Justice David Harper said that while "general conclusions" could not be drawn from one case, Crown's process for allowing the known pathological gambling addict to return was "a pathetic excuse for world's best practice".
"Crown does present itself as a world leader in responsible gambling. Its relationship with Mr Kakavas does not give one any confidence that it deserves that status," Justice Harper said.
And then there was the deal to grant Crown Casino its biggest gambling expansion in more than a decade. On May 4 Treasurer John Lenders wrote to the Commission outlining the proposed deal and said — "I would appreciate the VCGR's assistance in treating with its approval and review powers expeditiously".
The very next day Crown chief executive David Courtney wrote to the commission outlining the deal that included an expansion to Crown's boundary, allowing for 150 new gaming tables and up to 200 terminals for fully automated table games. (The automated terminals had not previously been permitted in Crown but were in use in Victorian pubs and clubs as poker machines.)
How long did it take Victoria's gambling regulator to consider the biggest changes at Crown in a decade? One day.
In a letter of reply the commission wrote that it did "not see any reason why its necessary consents, approvals and amendments should be provided or made. No impediments appear to exist." It continued: "The commission is influenced by the fact that the proposed changes do not involve any variation in the number of electronic gaming machines, bearing in mind that the playing of electronic gaming machines is acknowledged as the most likely initiator of problem gambling."
This was political gold for the Opposition. Gambling spokesman Michael O'Brien declared: "In my view that was a dereliction of duty on the part of the [regulator] — to say that because there is no increase in electronic gaming machines and any expansion of the rest of the casino will not have an impact on problem gambling is just a dereliction of duty."
The Opposition later took on the mantle that should have been worn by the commission and demanded the Government facilitate a social and economic impact statement for the deal.
This is only part of the story. In the past two weeks Victorians have also read of money laundering and suicides at the state's monopoly casino. It seems that there is truth in the claim by a leading problem gambling advocate that Crown Casino enjoys a special relationship with the regulator. This is unacceptable. The public must be confident that there is a most thorough and independent oversight of the casino and gambling in Victoria.
This is especially true, as the poker machine industry will soon undergo its biggest transformation in almost two decades
when the Tatts Group and Tabcorp multibillion-dollar poker machine duopoly ends and pubs and clubs will be able to own, not just operate, poker machines for the first time. These changes will require increased scrutiny of potentially hundreds of poker machine owners. The worry is that the commission has shown itself incapable of doing this.
In the lead-up to next year's November state election, the Opposition is considering regulatory reform of gambling in Victoria — a no-brainer given that the need for reform has been plainly demonstrated this year.
The public has a right to expect proper and thorough scrutiny of Crown Casino and gambling in Victoria. If the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation is not doing the job it should be replaced.
Issued by The Age December 18th 2009
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/gambling-regulator-is-losing-its-way-20091217-kzuj.html
Friday, December 18, 2009
Gambling regulator is losing its way
Sensible reforms are needed to tackle the gaming industry.
GAMBLING is a massive growth industry in Victoria, with punters losing more than $5.1 billion a year to Crown Casino, suburban poker machines, sports betting, online betting and race tracks. Gambling losses are up more than $700 million in four years.
In such a climate effective independent oversight of the industry is essential. Clearly, this task can't fall to the State Government — it reaps almost $1.6 billion a year from gambling taxes and consequently has a massive conflict of interest. Responsibility for regulating the booming gambling industry lies with the Commission for Gambling Regulation, established by the Bracks government in 2004.
The commission's role is to ensure "responsible gambling" but it is failing to act in the manner expected of an independent statutory body. It has become too chummy with gambling operators, such as Crown Casino, and with the Government.
Consider its fourth review of the casino operator licence — handed down last year — which described Crown Melbourne as being "at the forefront of Australian casinos" and meeting "the requirements of an international world class casino". It went so far as to applaud Crown as "a world leader" in dealing with problem gambling.
Is it really possible that the commission has forgotten that it is not there to champion and promote gambling. It appears so.
Consider these facts. Last week, the Supreme Court criticised Crown's treatment of at least one problem gambler, Harry Kakavas, who turned over $1.5 billion playing baccarat at Crown between June 2005 and August 2006, and failed in his bid to sue Crown for his losses.
Justice David Harper said that while "general conclusions" could not be drawn from one case, Crown's process for allowing the known pathological gambling addict to return was "a pathetic excuse for world's best practice".
"Crown does present itself as a world leader in responsible gambling. Its relationship with Mr Kakavas does not give one any confidence that it deserves that status," Justice Harper said.
And then there was the deal to grant Crown Casino its biggest gambling expansion in more than a decade. On May 4 Treasurer John Lenders wrote to the Commission outlining the proposed deal and said — "I would appreciate the VCGR's assistance in treating with its approval and review powers expeditiously".
The very next day Crown chief executive David Courtney wrote to the commission outlining the deal that included an expansion to Crown's boundary, allowing for 150 new gaming tables and up to 200 terminals for fully automated table games. (The automated terminals had not previously been permitted in Crown but were in use in Victorian pubs and clubs as poker machines.)
How long did it take Victoria's gambling regulator to consider the biggest changes at Crown in a decade? One day.
In a letter of reply the commission wrote that it did "not see any reason why its necessary consents, approvals and amendments should be provided or made. No impediments appear to exist." It continued: "The commission is influenced by the fact that the proposed changes do not involve any variation in the number of electronic gaming machines, bearing in mind that the playing of electronic gaming machines is acknowledged as the most likely initiator of problem gambling."
This was political gold for the Opposition. Gambling spokesman Michael O'Brien declared: "In my view that was a dereliction of duty on the part of the [regulator] — to say that because there is no increase in electronic gaming machines and any expansion of the rest of the casino will not have an impact on problem gambling is just a dereliction of duty."
The Opposition later took on the mantle that should have been worn by the commission and demanded the Government facilitate a social and economic impact statement for the deal.
This is only part of the story. In the past two weeks Victorians have also read of money laundering and suicides at the state's monopoly casino. It seems that there is truth in the claim by a leading problem gambling advocate that Crown Casino enjoys a special relationship with the regulator. This is unacceptable. The public must be confident that there is a most thorough and independent oversight of the casino and gambling in Victoria.
This is especially true, as the poker machine industry will soon undergo its biggest transformation in almost two decades
when the Tatts Group and Tabcorp multibillion-dollar poker machine duopoly ends and pubs and clubs will be able to own, not just operate, poker machines for the first time. These changes will require increased scrutiny of potentially hundreds of poker machine owners. The worry is that the commission has shown itself incapable of doing this.
In the lead-up to next year's November state election, the Opposition is considering regulatory reform of gambling in Victoria — a no-brainer given that the need for reform has been plainly demonstrated this year.
The public has a right to expect proper and thorough scrutiny of Crown Casino and gambling in Victoria. If the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation is not doing the job it should be replaced.
Issued by The Age December 18th 2009
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/gambling-regulator-is-losing-its-way-20091217-kzuj.html
GAMBLING is a massive growth industry in Victoria, with punters losing more than $5.1 billion a year to Crown Casino, suburban poker machines, sports betting, online betting and race tracks. Gambling losses are up more than $700 million in four years.
In such a climate effective independent oversight of the industry is essential. Clearly, this task can't fall to the State Government — it reaps almost $1.6 billion a year from gambling taxes and consequently has a massive conflict of interest. Responsibility for regulating the booming gambling industry lies with the Commission for Gambling Regulation, established by the Bracks government in 2004.
The commission's role is to ensure "responsible gambling" but it is failing to act in the manner expected of an independent statutory body. It has become too chummy with gambling operators, such as Crown Casino, and with the Government.
Consider its fourth review of the casino operator licence — handed down last year — which described Crown Melbourne as being "at the forefront of Australian casinos" and meeting "the requirements of an international world class casino". It went so far as to applaud Crown as "a world leader" in dealing with problem gambling.
Is it really possible that the commission has forgotten that it is not there to champion and promote gambling. It appears so.
Consider these facts. Last week, the Supreme Court criticised Crown's treatment of at least one problem gambler, Harry Kakavas, who turned over $1.5 billion playing baccarat at Crown between June 2005 and August 2006, and failed in his bid to sue Crown for his losses.
Justice David Harper said that while "general conclusions" could not be drawn from one case, Crown's process for allowing the known pathological gambling addict to return was "a pathetic excuse for world's best practice".
"Crown does present itself as a world leader in responsible gambling. Its relationship with Mr Kakavas does not give one any confidence that it deserves that status," Justice Harper said.
And then there was the deal to grant Crown Casino its biggest gambling expansion in more than a decade. On May 4 Treasurer John Lenders wrote to the Commission outlining the proposed deal and said — "I would appreciate the VCGR's assistance in treating with its approval and review powers expeditiously".
The very next day Crown chief executive David Courtney wrote to the commission outlining the deal that included an expansion to Crown's boundary, allowing for 150 new gaming tables and up to 200 terminals for fully automated table games. (The automated terminals had not previously been permitted in Crown but were in use in Victorian pubs and clubs as poker machines.)
How long did it take Victoria's gambling regulator to consider the biggest changes at Crown in a decade? One day.
In a letter of reply the commission wrote that it did "not see any reason why its necessary consents, approvals and amendments should be provided or made. No impediments appear to exist." It continued: "The commission is influenced by the fact that the proposed changes do not involve any variation in the number of electronic gaming machines, bearing in mind that the playing of electronic gaming machines is acknowledged as the most likely initiator of problem gambling."
This was political gold for the Opposition. Gambling spokesman Michael O'Brien declared: "In my view that was a dereliction of duty on the part of the [regulator] — to say that because there is no increase in electronic gaming machines and any expansion of the rest of the casino will not have an impact on problem gambling is just a dereliction of duty."
The Opposition later took on the mantle that should have been worn by the commission and demanded the Government facilitate a social and economic impact statement for the deal.
This is only part of the story. In the past two weeks Victorians have also read of money laundering and suicides at the state's monopoly casino. It seems that there is truth in the claim by a leading problem gambling advocate that Crown Casino enjoys a special relationship with the regulator. This is unacceptable. The public must be confident that there is a most thorough and independent oversight of the casino and gambling in Victoria.
This is especially true, as the poker machine industry will soon undergo its biggest transformation in almost two decades
when the Tatts Group and Tabcorp multibillion-dollar poker machine duopoly ends and pubs and clubs will be able to own, not just operate, poker machines for the first time. These changes will require increased scrutiny of potentially hundreds of poker machine owners. The worry is that the commission has shown itself incapable of doing this.
In the lead-up to next year's November state election, the Opposition is considering regulatory reform of gambling in Victoria — a no-brainer given that the need for reform has been plainly demonstrated this year.
The public has a right to expect proper and thorough scrutiny of Crown Casino and gambling in Victoria. If the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation is not doing the job it should be replaced.
Issued by The Age December 18th 2009
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/gambling-regulator-is-losing-its-way-20091217-kzuj.html
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Liquor Legislation and Licencing
Alcohol use is legal for those aged 18 years or over througout Australia. There is legislation in place governing the sale and distribution of alcohol in each state and territory throughout the country. These laws may differ, depending on that state or territory and there are also implications from local council laws. For example, in some areas local by-laws make it illegal to drink alcohol in public places such as beaches, parks and streets.
Laws relating to persons aged under 18 years differ between states and territories, and depend on where the alcohol is being supplied and consumed. Generally it is not an offence for an under-18 year old to consume alcohol in a private home but, for example, in NSW, you are committing an offence if you supply or buy alcohol for a minor without being authorised to do so by the minor's parents or guardian. Local by-laws may prohibit any alcohol being supplied in public places or hired halls. You need to check your local and state laws.
Issued by HMAA December 17th 2009
http://www.hmaa.com.au/index.php?tgtPage=&page_id=456
Laws relating to persons aged under 18 years differ between states and territories, and depend on where the alcohol is being supplied and consumed. Generally it is not an offence for an under-18 year old to consume alcohol in a private home but, for example, in NSW, you are committing an offence if you supply or buy alcohol for a minor without being authorised to do so by the minor's parents or guardian. Local by-laws may prohibit any alcohol being supplied in public places or hired halls. You need to check your local and state laws.
Issued by HMAA December 17th 2009
http://www.hmaa.com.au/index.php?tgtPage=&page_id=456
Outdoor smoke areas fire up pokie revenues
POKER machine revenues are bouncing back as pub owners invest millions of dollars building outdoor areas to counter smoking bans.
CB Richard Ellis pubs director Joel Fisher said pub poker machine revenues in NSW and Queensland were beginning to recover from total indoor smoking bans implemented in 2006 and 2007. Poker machine revenues, which slumped nationally from mid-2007, were now increasing, with pubs reporting gains of between 2 per cent and 5 per cent this calendar year, Mr Fisher said.
"A lot of pubs have built good outdoor smoking areas to cater for patrons who wish to smoke and play pokies," he said.
"Different states had reported significant declines but in NSW and Queensland particularly, that really has turned the corner in the past few months."
A report by the federal government's Productivity Commission found that in the year to June the decline in poker machine spending across the nation had begun to ease, with some states showing a reversal.
In the year to June, both Queensland and Victoria recorded slight gains.
Last financial year in Victoria, $2.707 billion was pumped into poker machines, up a modest $12 million, while in Queensland pokies swallowed $1.861bn, up $3m. Mr Fisher said that although revenues had improved in many areas last financial year, the biggest improvements had been in the past six months.
The Crown Hotel in Sydney's Surry Hills recently spent $250,000 building an open smoking area inside the pub, where it has placed poker machines.
The pub's manager said the hotel was yet to see an increase in poker machine revenues following the renovations, but it had attracted a range of users.
He said some venues had seen dramatic rises in poker machine revenues, "while others are staying much the same. It depends on the demographic."
Mr Fisher said that under NSW smoking legalisation, pubs could build "outdoor" areas -- typically an area of the existing pub that had been sealed off and had open airflow -- where they could place poker machines.
In Queensland, the legislation specifically stated that patrons were not permitted to smoke while playing gaming machines, which meant many pubs had installed smoking areas next to gaming lounges.
Hotel groups such as the Australian Hotels Association lobbied heavily for the proliferation of poker machines in pubs, and numbers rocketed from the mid-1990s.
By 1999, after the Carr government approved pokies in pubs in NSW, Australia was home to 21 per cent of the world's gaming machines -- with just over half of them in NSW.
The values of pubs surged on the back of lucrative poker machine profits, and there was major consolidation in the sector.
Lobby groups subsequently campaigned strongly against the introduction of smoking bans, in a bid to protect those new poker machine revenue streams.
The approach of many pub and club operators has been criticised by social welfare and health advocates, who believe it is unethical for operators to exploit for financial gain a proven strong nexus between problem gambling and heavy smoking. According to the Productivity Commission's recently released draft report into gambling, almost half a million Australians are problem or "at risk" gamblers, and represent a quarter of all regular gamblers.
The money spent on poker machines now adds up to 65 per cent of all gambling revenues -- worth $11.8bn a year -- and 90 per cent of that gambling takes place in pubs and clubs. The report said the number of poker machine gamblers had fallen slightly over the past two years, but those who continued to play the machines were spending more on them.
Issued by the Australian 17th December 2009
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/outdoor-smoke-areas-fire-up-pokie-revenues/story-e6frg9gx-1225811137345
CB Richard Ellis pubs director Joel Fisher said pub poker machine revenues in NSW and Queensland were beginning to recover from total indoor smoking bans implemented in 2006 and 2007. Poker machine revenues, which slumped nationally from mid-2007, were now increasing, with pubs reporting gains of between 2 per cent and 5 per cent this calendar year, Mr Fisher said.
"A lot of pubs have built good outdoor smoking areas to cater for patrons who wish to smoke and play pokies," he said.
"Different states had reported significant declines but in NSW and Queensland particularly, that really has turned the corner in the past few months."
A report by the federal government's Productivity Commission found that in the year to June the decline in poker machine spending across the nation had begun to ease, with some states showing a reversal.
In the year to June, both Queensland and Victoria recorded slight gains.
Last financial year in Victoria, $2.707 billion was pumped into poker machines, up a modest $12 million, while in Queensland pokies swallowed $1.861bn, up $3m. Mr Fisher said that although revenues had improved in many areas last financial year, the biggest improvements had been in the past six months.
The Crown Hotel in Sydney's Surry Hills recently spent $250,000 building an open smoking area inside the pub, where it has placed poker machines.
The pub's manager said the hotel was yet to see an increase in poker machine revenues following the renovations, but it had attracted a range of users.
He said some venues had seen dramatic rises in poker machine revenues, "while others are staying much the same. It depends on the demographic."
Mr Fisher said that under NSW smoking legalisation, pubs could build "outdoor" areas -- typically an area of the existing pub that had been sealed off and had open airflow -- where they could place poker machines.
In Queensland, the legislation specifically stated that patrons were not permitted to smoke while playing gaming machines, which meant many pubs had installed smoking areas next to gaming lounges.
Hotel groups such as the Australian Hotels Association lobbied heavily for the proliferation of poker machines in pubs, and numbers rocketed from the mid-1990s.
By 1999, after the Carr government approved pokies in pubs in NSW, Australia was home to 21 per cent of the world's gaming machines -- with just over half of them in NSW.
The values of pubs surged on the back of lucrative poker machine profits, and there was major consolidation in the sector.
Lobby groups subsequently campaigned strongly against the introduction of smoking bans, in a bid to protect those new poker machine revenue streams.
The approach of many pub and club operators has been criticised by social welfare and health advocates, who believe it is unethical for operators to exploit for financial gain a proven strong nexus between problem gambling and heavy smoking. According to the Productivity Commission's recently released draft report into gambling, almost half a million Australians are problem or "at risk" gamblers, and represent a quarter of all regular gamblers.
The money spent on poker machines now adds up to 65 per cent of all gambling revenues -- worth $11.8bn a year -- and 90 per cent of that gambling takes place in pubs and clubs. The report said the number of poker machine gamblers had fallen slightly over the past two years, but those who continued to play the machines were spending more on them.
Issued by the Australian 17th December 2009
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/outdoor-smoke-areas-fire-up-pokie-revenues/story-e6frg9gx-1225811137345
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
NRL clubs say they'll be ruined in pokie crackdown
NINE of the 16 elite NRL teams face the risk of financial collapse under proposed pokies reforms, the Productivity Commission has been told.
Queensland leagues clubs say they would also be devastated, with the Redcliffe Dolphins telling the commission the cost of junior membership would skyrocket and hundreds of local children would miss out on playing, exposing them to the danger of childhood obesity and even juvenile delinquency.
In a joint appearance before the commission's Brisbane hearing yesterday, officials from Leagues Clubs Australia, the National Rugby League and the Redcliffe Dolphins warned proposed changes to stem problem gambling would choke off their revenue from pokies.
The NRL's Gerard Benedet said more than half of the elite teams – which relied on income derived from leagues club pokies – could be in trouble.
"In 2009, Leagues Clubs provided just over $27 million in direct funding to NSW and ACT-based National Rugby League clubs," he said.
"Without this funding, the viability of nine of the current 16 teams would be in question."
Redcliffe Leagues Club general manager Tony Murphy said the proposed pokies changes , which would include limiting single bets to $1 and capping the credit on a machine to $20, would send his club back to its 1992 status.
He said the club would be forced to sack three-quarters of its 200 staff and its junior rugby league ranks would be decimated.
"We had 200 kids playing before electronic gaming machines," he told the commission.
"We now have over 800 Redcliffe Juniors. What happens to those kids, those 600 kids, when their $45 registration fee becomes $400?"
Mr Murphy said the club's $1.7 million a year contribution to community groups and causes would also be lost, with serious consequences for the local population and events such as Carols by Candlelight.
In other evidence yesterday, Clubs Queensland chief executive Doug Flockhart questioned why the "poor decisions" of problem gamblers should impact on the enjoyment of recreational pokies players.
"It's time we moved away from an ever encroaching nanny state," he said.
In its draft report on gambling, the Productivity Commission estimated problem gambling affected 125,000 Australians and accounted for 40 per cent of the money lost on pokies.
The commission will hold another public hearing in Canberra today before reporting to the Federal Government in February.
Published in Courier Mail 15 December
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26486340-3102,00.html
Queensland leagues clubs say they would also be devastated, with the Redcliffe Dolphins telling the commission the cost of junior membership would skyrocket and hundreds of local children would miss out on playing, exposing them to the danger of childhood obesity and even juvenile delinquency.
In a joint appearance before the commission's Brisbane hearing yesterday, officials from Leagues Clubs Australia, the National Rugby League and the Redcliffe Dolphins warned proposed changes to stem problem gambling would choke off their revenue from pokies.
The NRL's Gerard Benedet said more than half of the elite teams – which relied on income derived from leagues club pokies – could be in trouble.
"In 2009, Leagues Clubs provided just over $27 million in direct funding to NSW and ACT-based National Rugby League clubs," he said.
"Without this funding, the viability of nine of the current 16 teams would be in question."
Redcliffe Leagues Club general manager Tony Murphy said the proposed pokies changes , which would include limiting single bets to $1 and capping the credit on a machine to $20, would send his club back to its 1992 status.
He said the club would be forced to sack three-quarters of its 200 staff and its junior rugby league ranks would be decimated.
"We had 200 kids playing before electronic gaming machines," he told the commission.
"We now have over 800 Redcliffe Juniors. What happens to those kids, those 600 kids, when their $45 registration fee becomes $400?"
Mr Murphy said the club's $1.7 million a year contribution to community groups and causes would also be lost, with serious consequences for the local population and events such as Carols by Candlelight.
In other evidence yesterday, Clubs Queensland chief executive Doug Flockhart questioned why the "poor decisions" of problem gamblers should impact on the enjoyment of recreational pokies players.
"It's time we moved away from an ever encroaching nanny state," he said.
In its draft report on gambling, the Productivity Commission estimated problem gambling affected 125,000 Australians and accounted for 40 per cent of the money lost on pokies.
The commission will hold another public hearing in Canberra today before reporting to the Federal Government in February.
Published in Courier Mail 15 December
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26486340-3102,00.html
Bosses warn small businesses could face big fines under new employment laws
HUNDREDS of small businesses could be caught out by the changeover to new national employment standards on January 1 and could face big fines because they don't understand the new rules, employers have warned.
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is urging Australia's workplace watchdog to take a cautious approach to prosecutions as the Rudd government prepares to roll out the final act in Labor's election promise to scrap the Howard government's Work Choices regime.
ACCI CEO Peter Anderson told The Australian Online that while employers welcomed the streamlined system there would be “victims” along the way, including pharmacists, retailers and hospitality groups in some states who would face higher wage costs.
“Most of those costs are the product of changes to penalty rates structures and the times it kicks in on late nights and weekends,” Mr Anderson said.
“Some of them will kick in in relation to allowances and overtime. Those cost rises are being phased in over a period of five years to lessen the impact on industry. That is a welcome aspect of the award modernisation. Nonetheless those costs exist and they are not uniform across the country.”
Mr Anderson said he had been contacted by one Sydney pharmacist who claimed he faced an extra wages bill of $200,000-a-year under the changes when they were fully operational and it could force him to stop opening on Sundays or sponsoring local sporting clubs.
“That's obviously a very sizeable hit and he has to make a decision on whether he continues to operate on Sunday,” he said.
While there had also been strong efforts to educate business owners, ACCI predicted some smaller operations who are not members of an industry group may be unaware the changes affect their workers.
He urged the Fair Work Ombudsman to prosecute cautiously as the new laws were implemented.
“There is going to need to be a very sensible process of enforcement here. Because there is going to be many businesses caught out. The transitional processes are also quite complicated - there are various rules,” he said.
Mr Anderson said it wasn't about turning a blind eye to flagrant breaches.
“The penalties have gone up. Every pay day there is a breach it can clock up to serious fines. We need to make sure we can help business have a clear understanding of what they're obligations are. We are talking about new regulations that affects more than 500,000 businesses,” he said.
In an interview with The Australian yesterday, Ms Gillard said a massive education campaign to ensure companies understood their responsibilities had been under way since the Rudd government was elected with a mandate to introduce the new workplace relations system at the 2007 election.
“So for an employer who is worried about compliance, the question they have to ask themselves is “Am I better off having to wade my way through more than 4000 conflicting old fashioned state and federal instruments?” she said.
“Am I better off trying to get my way through that red tape nightmare, or, am I better off with a system (with) 10 national employment standards and 122 awards. I think the answer to that is obvious.”
Ms Gillard said for multi-state employers who trade in different jurisdictions, the national system would deliver significant benefits.
“For small businesses who start as a sole trader, they move towards being a partnership at some point they incorporate as a company, at the moment they trigger from state workplace systems to the federal system,” she said.
“They might not even know they have gone over that legal line. They don't have to worry about that anymore because this is a uniform system for the private sector.”
“There is plenty of information available to people either direct from Fair Work Australia or from there employer organisation. This is a streamlined new system that will lift masses of red tape and compliance costs of the shoulders of business.”
Issued by The Australian December14th 2009
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/bosses-warn-small-businesses-could-face-big-fines-under-new-employment-laws/story-e6frgczf-1225810236600
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is urging Australia's workplace watchdog to take a cautious approach to prosecutions as the Rudd government prepares to roll out the final act in Labor's election promise to scrap the Howard government's Work Choices regime.
ACCI CEO Peter Anderson told The Australian Online that while employers welcomed the streamlined system there would be “victims” along the way, including pharmacists, retailers and hospitality groups in some states who would face higher wage costs.
“Most of those costs are the product of changes to penalty rates structures and the times it kicks in on late nights and weekends,” Mr Anderson said.
“Some of them will kick in in relation to allowances and overtime. Those cost rises are being phased in over a period of five years to lessen the impact on industry. That is a welcome aspect of the award modernisation. Nonetheless those costs exist and they are not uniform across the country.”
Mr Anderson said he had been contacted by one Sydney pharmacist who claimed he faced an extra wages bill of $200,000-a-year under the changes when they were fully operational and it could force him to stop opening on Sundays or sponsoring local sporting clubs.
“That's obviously a very sizeable hit and he has to make a decision on whether he continues to operate on Sunday,” he said.
While there had also been strong efforts to educate business owners, ACCI predicted some smaller operations who are not members of an industry group may be unaware the changes affect their workers.
He urged the Fair Work Ombudsman to prosecute cautiously as the new laws were implemented.
“There is going to need to be a very sensible process of enforcement here. Because there is going to be many businesses caught out. The transitional processes are also quite complicated - there are various rules,” he said.
Mr Anderson said it wasn't about turning a blind eye to flagrant breaches.
“The penalties have gone up. Every pay day there is a breach it can clock up to serious fines. We need to make sure we can help business have a clear understanding of what they're obligations are. We are talking about new regulations that affects more than 500,000 businesses,” he said.
In an interview with The Australian yesterday, Ms Gillard said a massive education campaign to ensure companies understood their responsibilities had been under way since the Rudd government was elected with a mandate to introduce the new workplace relations system at the 2007 election.
“So for an employer who is worried about compliance, the question they have to ask themselves is “Am I better off having to wade my way through more than 4000 conflicting old fashioned state and federal instruments?” she said.
“Am I better off trying to get my way through that red tape nightmare, or, am I better off with a system (with) 10 national employment standards and 122 awards. I think the answer to that is obvious.”
Ms Gillard said for multi-state employers who trade in different jurisdictions, the national system would deliver significant benefits.
“For small businesses who start as a sole trader, they move towards being a partnership at some point they incorporate as a company, at the moment they trigger from state workplace systems to the federal system,” she said.
“They might not even know they have gone over that legal line. They don't have to worry about that anymore because this is a uniform system for the private sector.”
“There is plenty of information available to people either direct from Fair Work Australia or from there employer organisation. This is a streamlined new system that will lift masses of red tape and compliance costs of the shoulders of business.”
Issued by The Australian December14th 2009
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/bosses-warn-small-businesses-could-face-big-fines-under-new-employment-laws/story-e6frgczf-1225810236600
Premier petitioned over pokie tax hike
EVERY new poker machine creates almost one problem gambler. And there is no such thing as a saturation point, with the community showing an almost limitless appetite for pokies, a study has found.
The report, based on 34 problem gambling studies, disputes the view of the gaming industry that there is no link between access to poker machines and the rate of problem gambling.
The report, prepared by social researchers Judith Stubbs and Associates in conjunction with the University of NSW and the Auckland University of Technology, comes as the clubs industry gears up for a fresh assault on the NSW Government over pokie taxes.
A KPMG report commissioned by ClubsNSW claims pokie tax increases will cost the state economy $1.6 billion and 4000 jobs a year. The report paints a devastating picture of the impact of the taxes, with 105 clubs already forced to close or amalgamate, and another 190 under threat of closure before 2012.
It points to a $219-$343 million reduction in club contributions to community groups over the next two years.
ClubsNSW is seeking an urgent meeting with new Premier Kristina Keneally to ask her to reconsider what it says are draconian taxes foisted on the industry by former premier Bob Carr and his treasurer Michael Egan.
ClubsNSW's acting chief executive Anthony Ball said 8431 jobs had gone from the club industry since the tax rates were increased in 2004.
"Even before the tax rates were increased, NSW clubs were already the third-largest taxpayer in the state,'' he said.
''Unfortunately, by overtaxing, the State Government has sent club employment, capital investment and support for community and charities into a rapid decline.
"Clubs should be growing their business and supporting their local and state economies. Instead clubs are cutting staff, selling land, all just to pay their tax bills.''
The KPMG report found the club industry employs about 43,000 people in NSW and pays them about $1.3 billion in wages each year.
More than 60 per cent of clubs had cut their staff in the past four years, and 65 per cent had reduced their cash and in-kind donations to community and charitable groups, according to the report.
The pokie tax rise means a club with annual gaming machine revenue of $10 million now pays $2,085,000 in tax each year compared with $1,496,591 prior to 2004.
Gaming and Racing Minister Kevin Greene said the Government was working closely with the club industry to ''ensure its ongoing sustainability''.
''A special system that allows clubs in financial difficulty to apply to defer payment of gaming machine tax without being charged interest has also been set up,'' Mr Greene said.
The Government would review the KPMG report, he said.
Anti-pokies campaigner Senator Nick Xenophon said half all losses on poker machines came from problem gamblers.
''It is extraordinary ClubsNSW could be crying poor when their businesses drive so many gamblers into real poverty,'' he said.
The Stubbs report said each new gaming machine created 0.8 problem gamblers.
Dr Stubbs said the research debunked the theory that there was a saturation point for problem gamblers.
She said there was also proof that specific areas of NSW, such as the Fairfield local government area, had been inundated by machines because venue-based caps had not considered the presence of neighbouring establishments.
In October, the Productivity Commission released a draft report into a new gaming review, with the final report expected to be given to the Federal Government in February.
The draft concluded that it was ''difficult to assess'' the link between access to gaming machines and problem gambling.
''It seems likely that once gaming machines are ubiquitous in any community, additions to their number make little difference,'' the draft report said.
Clubs Australia told the commission there was ''no evidence supporting the concept of a nexus between access to gaming machines and problem gambling rates'', a view backed by ClubsNSW.
Issued by Brisbane Times & Sydney Morning Herald December 12th 2009
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/premier-petitioned-over-pokie-tax-hike-20091212-kpjk.html
http://www.smh.com.au/national/premier-petitioned-over-pokie-tax-hike-20091212-kpjk.html
The report, based on 34 problem gambling studies, disputes the view of the gaming industry that there is no link between access to poker machines and the rate of problem gambling.
The report, prepared by social researchers Judith Stubbs and Associates in conjunction with the University of NSW and the Auckland University of Technology, comes as the clubs industry gears up for a fresh assault on the NSW Government over pokie taxes.
A KPMG report commissioned by ClubsNSW claims pokie tax increases will cost the state economy $1.6 billion and 4000 jobs a year. The report paints a devastating picture of the impact of the taxes, with 105 clubs already forced to close or amalgamate, and another 190 under threat of closure before 2012.
It points to a $219-$343 million reduction in club contributions to community groups over the next two years.
ClubsNSW is seeking an urgent meeting with new Premier Kristina Keneally to ask her to reconsider what it says are draconian taxes foisted on the industry by former premier Bob Carr and his treasurer Michael Egan.
ClubsNSW's acting chief executive Anthony Ball said 8431 jobs had gone from the club industry since the tax rates were increased in 2004.
"Even before the tax rates were increased, NSW clubs were already the third-largest taxpayer in the state,'' he said.
''Unfortunately, by overtaxing, the State Government has sent club employment, capital investment and support for community and charities into a rapid decline.
"Clubs should be growing their business and supporting their local and state economies. Instead clubs are cutting staff, selling land, all just to pay their tax bills.''
The KPMG report found the club industry employs about 43,000 people in NSW and pays them about $1.3 billion in wages each year.
More than 60 per cent of clubs had cut their staff in the past four years, and 65 per cent had reduced their cash and in-kind donations to community and charitable groups, according to the report.
The pokie tax rise means a club with annual gaming machine revenue of $10 million now pays $2,085,000 in tax each year compared with $1,496,591 prior to 2004.
Gaming and Racing Minister Kevin Greene said the Government was working closely with the club industry to ''ensure its ongoing sustainability''.
''A special system that allows clubs in financial difficulty to apply to defer payment of gaming machine tax without being charged interest has also been set up,'' Mr Greene said.
The Government would review the KPMG report, he said.
Anti-pokies campaigner Senator Nick Xenophon said half all losses on poker machines came from problem gamblers.
''It is extraordinary ClubsNSW could be crying poor when their businesses drive so many gamblers into real poverty,'' he said.
The Stubbs report said each new gaming machine created 0.8 problem gamblers.
Dr Stubbs said the research debunked the theory that there was a saturation point for problem gamblers.
She said there was also proof that specific areas of NSW, such as the Fairfield local government area, had been inundated by machines because venue-based caps had not considered the presence of neighbouring establishments.
In October, the Productivity Commission released a draft report into a new gaming review, with the final report expected to be given to the Federal Government in February.
The draft concluded that it was ''difficult to assess'' the link between access to gaming machines and problem gambling.
''It seems likely that once gaming machines are ubiquitous in any community, additions to their number make little difference,'' the draft report said.
Clubs Australia told the commission there was ''no evidence supporting the concept of a nexus between access to gaming machines and problem gambling rates'', a view backed by ClubsNSW.
Issued by Brisbane Times & Sydney Morning Herald December 12th 2009
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/premier-petitioned-over-pokie-tax-hike-20091212-kpjk.html
http://www.smh.com.au/national/premier-petitioned-over-pokie-tax-hike-20091212-kpjk.html
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Roxon rejects advice on drinking age
THE Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, has rejected a call from the Prime Minister's advisory body on drugs to consider lifting the drinking age.
The Australian National Council on Drugs declared that there was evidence that lifting the legal drinking age did decrease the number of young people drinking alcohol and being harmed as a result.
The council said there was a need to ''explore the options'' to break the connection between the drinking age, getting a full driver's licence and leaving school, which all occurred around the 18th birthday. Their verdict follows calls for the drinking age to be lifted to 19.
Ms Roxon's spokesman said: ''The Government is not considering raising the drinking age.''
In a communique after its latest meeting, the council said that, given clearer evidence about the impact alcohol has on brain development, there was a need for the issue to be examined and for more information to be made available to the public.
But the council acknowledged that the issue involved complex research ''where any changes needed to be considered in concert with prevailing community and parental views''.
An advocate of lifting the drinking age, psychiatrist Ian Hickie, said there was gathering community support for such a move, as shown by the deepening concern from the police and the community after alcohol-fuelled trouble at the latest schoolies gatherings on the Gold Coast.
Professor Hickie, head of Sydney University's Brain and Mind Research Institute, said the community was looking to Mr Rudd to act given his earlier commitments to deal with teenage alcohol abuse.
He challenged the Government's earlier response that its National Preventative Health Taskforce had not recommended lifting the drinking age.
Professor Hickie said the taskforce's report showed that changing the drinking age had been found overseas to be effective and was inexpensive to implement.
The problem, he said, was that it had not been evaluated in Australia.
While critics claimed there was already widespread under-age drinking and raising the age would not make a difference, Professor Hickie said policing of the news laws alone would reduce consumption.
Published in The Age 14 December
http://www.theage.com.au/national/roxon-rejects-advice-on-drinking-age-20091213-kqif.html
The Australian National Council on Drugs declared that there was evidence that lifting the legal drinking age did decrease the number of young people drinking alcohol and being harmed as a result.
The council said there was a need to ''explore the options'' to break the connection between the drinking age, getting a full driver's licence and leaving school, which all occurred around the 18th birthday. Their verdict follows calls for the drinking age to be lifted to 19.
Ms Roxon's spokesman said: ''The Government is not considering raising the drinking age.''
In a communique after its latest meeting, the council said that, given clearer evidence about the impact alcohol has on brain development, there was a need for the issue to be examined and for more information to be made available to the public.
But the council acknowledged that the issue involved complex research ''where any changes needed to be considered in concert with prevailing community and parental views''.
An advocate of lifting the drinking age, psychiatrist Ian Hickie, said there was gathering community support for such a move, as shown by the deepening concern from the police and the community after alcohol-fuelled trouble at the latest schoolies gatherings on the Gold Coast.
Professor Hickie, head of Sydney University's Brain and Mind Research Institute, said the community was looking to Mr Rudd to act given his earlier commitments to deal with teenage alcohol abuse.
He challenged the Government's earlier response that its National Preventative Health Taskforce had not recommended lifting the drinking age.
Professor Hickie said the taskforce's report showed that changing the drinking age had been found overseas to be effective and was inexpensive to implement.
The problem, he said, was that it had not been evaluated in Australia.
While critics claimed there was already widespread under-age drinking and raising the age would not make a difference, Professor Hickie said policing of the news laws alone would reduce consumption.
Published in The Age 14 December
http://www.theage.com.au/national/roxon-rejects-advice-on-drinking-age-20091213-kqif.html
Police officer glassed attending disturbance at Yeppoon
A POLICE officer has been glassed while attending a disturbance in Yeppoon Saturday morning.
Shortly after midnight officers attended the disturbance on Dolphin Crescent and allegedly became involved in a struggle with a man on the street.
A 20-year-old Pacific Heights man, who struck the officer on the head with a beer bottle, was charged with one count each of seriously assaulting police, consuming liquor in a public place, obstructing police and public nuisance.
He is due to appear in the Yeppoon Magistrates Court on February 5.
Published in Courier Mail 13 December
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26481771-3102,00.html
Shortly after midnight officers attended the disturbance on Dolphin Crescent and allegedly became involved in a struggle with a man on the street.
A 20-year-old Pacific Heights man, who struck the officer on the head with a beer bottle, was charged with one count each of seriously assaulting police, consuming liquor in a public place, obstructing police and public nuisance.
He is due to appear in the Yeppoon Magistrates Court on February 5.
Published in Courier Mail 13 December
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26481771-3102,00.html
Alcoholic violence Operation Unite hits Fortitude Valley
FORTITUDE Valley streets crackle with an almost tangible energy as tens of thousands of people from all walks of life converge for another night of boozy behaviour.
The area is a virtual melting pot of class and culture and together they become like one large, temperamental and unpredictable living, breathing organism, as the vibe tentatively balances on the knife-edge of celebratory and chaotic.
History shows it can go either way and usually emergency officers hold their breath in anticipation of uncontrollable drunken antics.
But this weekend, they have the upper hand.
Police numbers were more than double what they usually are because of a national campaign, called Operation Unite, to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence.
The incidents include a confrontation involving two gangs at Alfred St at 12.25am, which nine police attend. Almost at the same time, a man is reportedly
being hit over the head with a bottle at a club on Ann St. Outside the Mustang Bar, a glassing victim becomes unruly before collapsing on the pavement. Next to him a woman, who was nearby when it occurred, is having shards of glass removed from her hand.
In the mall, the Chaplain Watch program headed by Lance Mergard is trialling a Night Safe zone with the help of Young Australian of the Year Jonty Bush.
They treat an 18-year-old girl who has passed out from too much alcohol and stay until the ambulance arrives.
By the end of the night, they'll have had another 10 such incidents and almost 20 more wandering in for assistance.
Outside Magic City in Warner St, another man is lashing out at police and a woman lies unconscious on the footpath.
Police tackle several other incidents nearby – in the City near Hungry Jacks and at Caxton St, which five units attend including the riot squad.
More arrests are made after problem patrons are evicted from clubs but, by 3am, the crowds have cleared and the atmosphere becomes visibly less volatile.
This is highly unusual for this time of night because a great deal of drunken violence generally occurs after the lockout and when the last venues shut at 5am.
Police officers remark that the Valley has been a lot quieter this weekend compared to others but their increased presence allows them to defuse potentially volatile situations much more quickly and successfully.
In Queensland, there were about 900 arrests and more than 1000 charges laid during Operation Unite.
"We're particularly disturbed by the large number of arrests we've had. It's unfortunate we've had to take this action," Deputy Commissioner Ian Stewart said.
"I'm sure having extra police out there meant we had more arrests."
Mr Stewart said the operation, which involved 1800 uniformed and plain-clothed officers, was a success. "This is not just about one weekend. This is about the
ongoing policing of the community right across Australia," he said.
The State Government has spent $1.5 million bolstering police numbers until the end of January but won't commit to extending it further.
"In terms of the ongoing nature of government and community response to this issue, I believe the parliamentary inquiry will provide impetus to potentially some other decisions that need to be made as well," Police Minister Neil Roberts said.
"There's no doubt, the Valley CBD and Gold Coast in particular are two areas where issues are constantly being raised."
Published in Courier Mail 14 December
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26481102-3102,00.html
The area is a virtual melting pot of class and culture and together they become like one large, temperamental and unpredictable living, breathing organism, as the vibe tentatively balances on the knife-edge of celebratory and chaotic.
History shows it can go either way and usually emergency officers hold their breath in anticipation of uncontrollable drunken antics.
But this weekend, they have the upper hand.
Police numbers were more than double what they usually are because of a national campaign, called Operation Unite, to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence.
The incidents include a confrontation involving two gangs at Alfred St at 12.25am, which nine police attend. Almost at the same time, a man is reportedly
being hit over the head with a bottle at a club on Ann St. Outside the Mustang Bar, a glassing victim becomes unruly before collapsing on the pavement. Next to him a woman, who was nearby when it occurred, is having shards of glass removed from her hand.
In the mall, the Chaplain Watch program headed by Lance Mergard is trialling a Night Safe zone with the help of Young Australian of the Year Jonty Bush.
They treat an 18-year-old girl who has passed out from too much alcohol and stay until the ambulance arrives.
By the end of the night, they'll have had another 10 such incidents and almost 20 more wandering in for assistance.
Outside Magic City in Warner St, another man is lashing out at police and a woman lies unconscious on the footpath.
Police tackle several other incidents nearby – in the City near Hungry Jacks and at Caxton St, which five units attend including the riot squad.
More arrests are made after problem patrons are evicted from clubs but, by 3am, the crowds have cleared and the atmosphere becomes visibly less volatile.
This is highly unusual for this time of night because a great deal of drunken violence generally occurs after the lockout and when the last venues shut at 5am.
Police officers remark that the Valley has been a lot quieter this weekend compared to others but their increased presence allows them to defuse potentially volatile situations much more quickly and successfully.
In Queensland, there were about 900 arrests and more than 1000 charges laid during Operation Unite.
"We're particularly disturbed by the large number of arrests we've had. It's unfortunate we've had to take this action," Deputy Commissioner Ian Stewart said.
"I'm sure having extra police out there meant we had more arrests."
Mr Stewart said the operation, which involved 1800 uniformed and plain-clothed officers, was a success. "This is not just about one weekend. This is about the
ongoing policing of the community right across Australia," he said.
The State Government has spent $1.5 million bolstering police numbers until the end of January but won't commit to extending it further.
"In terms of the ongoing nature of government and community response to this issue, I believe the parliamentary inquiry will provide impetus to potentially some other decisions that need to be made as well," Police Minister Neil Roberts said.
"There's no doubt, the Valley CBD and Gold Coast in particular are two areas where issues are constantly being raised."
Published in Courier Mail 14 December
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26481102-3102,00.html
Friday, December 11, 2009
Security guards with a record face chop
Security guards with a criminal conviction face losing their jobs next week when new laws come into effect revoking their licences.
The legislation, which was introduced and passed under the former Labor government and will be proclaimed on Monday, prevents guards who have a conviction for a serious offence within the past 10 years from applying for a security licence.
Those who already have licences may have them revoked.
A serious offence includes violence-related crimes, theft and dishonesty and convictions related to drugs.
The laws do not provide for an avenue of appeal, which security guard Dave Ruggier believes is unfair.
Mr Ruggier, 40, of Warwick, was told on Tuesday that his licence would not be renewed because he had a drug-related conviction from 2003.
He said he had not reoffended since, had been through drug rehabilitation programs and should be given the chance to appeal against the decision.
Mr Ruggier, who had been working at Curtin University for the past year, said he would have to go on the dole and was worried because he had a mortgage. "I'm in a hole now," he said.
He said the offence was 10 years ago but he was not convicted until 2003, putting him within the 10-year period.
He pleaded guilty to attempting to conspire to manufacture methylamphetamine and was given a suspended sentence.
Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union assistant secretary Carolyn Smith said she did not support the employment of a criminal element in security firms but felt it was unfair that people with a clean record over the years would have their licences revoked resulting in the loss of their job.
"There is also no provision made for people to appeal," she said. "What happened to the process of forgiving, rehabilitation and moving on?"
Ms Smith said it was also unfair on those applying for security licences with a record from years ago "for which they've served their sentence".
She urged the State Government to be equally forceful in making employers abide by employment rules.
Police Minister Rob Johnson said he had asked WA Police to check with other States on an appeals process in similar legislation.
Issued by The West Australian 10th December 2009
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/6570509/security-guards-with-a-record-face-chop/
The legislation, which was introduced and passed under the former Labor government and will be proclaimed on Monday, prevents guards who have a conviction for a serious offence within the past 10 years from applying for a security licence.
Those who already have licences may have them revoked.
A serious offence includes violence-related crimes, theft and dishonesty and convictions related to drugs.
The laws do not provide for an avenue of appeal, which security guard Dave Ruggier believes is unfair.
Mr Ruggier, 40, of Warwick, was told on Tuesday that his licence would not be renewed because he had a drug-related conviction from 2003.
He said he had not reoffended since, had been through drug rehabilitation programs and should be given the chance to appeal against the decision.
Mr Ruggier, who had been working at Curtin University for the past year, said he would have to go on the dole and was worried because he had a mortgage. "I'm in a hole now," he said.
He said the offence was 10 years ago but he was not convicted until 2003, putting him within the 10-year period.
He pleaded guilty to attempting to conspire to manufacture methylamphetamine and was given a suspended sentence.
Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union assistant secretary Carolyn Smith said she did not support the employment of a criminal element in security firms but felt it was unfair that people with a clean record over the years would have their licences revoked resulting in the loss of their job.
"There is also no provision made for people to appeal," she said. "What happened to the process of forgiving, rehabilitation and moving on?"
Ms Smith said it was also unfair on those applying for security licences with a record from years ago "for which they've served their sentence".
She urged the State Government to be equally forceful in making employers abide by employment rules.
Police Minister Rob Johnson said he had asked WA Police to check with other States on an appeals process in similar legislation.
Issued by The West Australian 10th December 2009
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/6570509/security-guards-with-a-record-face-chop/
Why workplace bullying is a small business problem
The events which drove a young woman to suicide are truly heartbreaking in how avoidable it might all have been.
At an inquest into the death of Brodie Rae Constance Panlock, 19, Melbourne coroner Peter White heard how the young waitress was treated in an ''extremely aggressive and intimidating'' manner at the popular Cafe Vamp in Hawthorn in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Before she took her own life, Brodie endured being demeaned and humiliated by other workers at the popular cafe at which she waitressed.
Mr White said he was satisfied that ''this almost daily routine of inappropriate pressure at work'' culminated in her jumping from a car park building on September 20, 2006.
This is not simply a terribly tragic story of a young woman battling her own demons; this should make every small business owner stop and think hard for a moment about what happens under their own roof.
Why is this a small business story? Because it underlines the critical role that small operators have as Australia’s major employers - the so-called 'engine room’ of Australian industry - in ensuring they provide a protective environment for all their staff, particularly vulnerable young workers.
It is hard to believe that some people don’t understand what constitutes bullying behaviour, but sadly, it appears it is the modern epidemic of our belligerent times.
In a November survey, Victorian workplace authority WorkSafe reported that one in five respondents said they had been bullied at some point in their working life.
This figure could easily be higher, with official figures masked by the fact that many people probably do not bother to make a compensation claim.
Many will simply leave their jobs, or take time off, or suffer silently with stress-related illnesses such as anxiety and depression. A small number of people may end up taking their life.
Bullying can take a series of forms. It may be verbal abuse from a manager who repeatedly humiliates a worker; it can be more insidious, such as scheduling meetings on the day a particular staff member can’t attend, singling them out for constant criticism or failing to invite them to the Christmas party.
Bullying is not just losing one’s temper occasionally; it is concerted and repeated behaviour designed to diminish someone. Left untackled, it can even escalate to physical abuse.
Yet there appears to be an odd resistance in tackling the situation. Can’t take a joke, mate?
And too often in the hard-driving, high pressure world of hospitality, intolerable behaviour is glossed over, or even celebrated.
Witness the antics of 'celebrity' chef Gordon Ramsay, whose foul-tongued abuse of his unfortunate staff should have made him a pariah, but instead made him a global star and multi-millionaire.
It wasn’t until he encountered A Current Affair presenter, Tracey Grimshaw, someone powerful enough in her own right to be able to tackle his behaviour, that Ramsay was taken down a peg or two.
Unfortunately, most people being bullied don’t have the recourse of a national audience. Too often, they are vulnerable, inexperienced, young or worried about losing their jobs.
What they need is for their employer to be on the front foot in detecting and stamping out undesirable behaviour.
Yet the Worksafe survey also reported that less than half of respondents believed their organisations effectively dealt with bullying.
In some ways, because they are not separated by bureaucratic layers from their staff, small businesses can and should be at the forefront of this.
People are entitled to be safe and protected at work. We can ensure what happened to Brodie never happens to anyone else
Issued by the Sydney Morning Herald 11th December 2009
http://www.smh.com.au/small-business/why-workplace-bullying-is-a-small-business-problem-20091211-knn1.html
At an inquest into the death of Brodie Rae Constance Panlock, 19, Melbourne coroner Peter White heard how the young waitress was treated in an ''extremely aggressive and intimidating'' manner at the popular Cafe Vamp in Hawthorn in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Before she took her own life, Brodie endured being demeaned and humiliated by other workers at the popular cafe at which she waitressed.
Mr White said he was satisfied that ''this almost daily routine of inappropriate pressure at work'' culminated in her jumping from a car park building on September 20, 2006.
This is not simply a terribly tragic story of a young woman battling her own demons; this should make every small business owner stop and think hard for a moment about what happens under their own roof.
Why is this a small business story? Because it underlines the critical role that small operators have as Australia’s major employers - the so-called 'engine room’ of Australian industry - in ensuring they provide a protective environment for all their staff, particularly vulnerable young workers.
It is hard to believe that some people don’t understand what constitutes bullying behaviour, but sadly, it appears it is the modern epidemic of our belligerent times.
In a November survey, Victorian workplace authority WorkSafe reported that one in five respondents said they had been bullied at some point in their working life.
This figure could easily be higher, with official figures masked by the fact that many people probably do not bother to make a compensation claim.
Many will simply leave their jobs, or take time off, or suffer silently with stress-related illnesses such as anxiety and depression. A small number of people may end up taking their life.
Bullying can take a series of forms. It may be verbal abuse from a manager who repeatedly humiliates a worker; it can be more insidious, such as scheduling meetings on the day a particular staff member can’t attend, singling them out for constant criticism or failing to invite them to the Christmas party.
Bullying is not just losing one’s temper occasionally; it is concerted and repeated behaviour designed to diminish someone. Left untackled, it can even escalate to physical abuse.
Yet there appears to be an odd resistance in tackling the situation. Can’t take a joke, mate?
And too often in the hard-driving, high pressure world of hospitality, intolerable behaviour is glossed over, or even celebrated.
Witness the antics of 'celebrity' chef Gordon Ramsay, whose foul-tongued abuse of his unfortunate staff should have made him a pariah, but instead made him a global star and multi-millionaire.
It wasn’t until he encountered A Current Affair presenter, Tracey Grimshaw, someone powerful enough in her own right to be able to tackle his behaviour, that Ramsay was taken down a peg or two.
Unfortunately, most people being bullied don’t have the recourse of a national audience. Too often, they are vulnerable, inexperienced, young or worried about losing their jobs.
What they need is for their employer to be on the front foot in detecting and stamping out undesirable behaviour.
Yet the Worksafe survey also reported that less than half of respondents believed their organisations effectively dealt with bullying.
In some ways, because they are not separated by bureaucratic layers from their staff, small businesses can and should be at the forefront of this.
People are entitled to be safe and protected at work. We can ensure what happened to Brodie never happens to anyone else
Issued by the Sydney Morning Herald 11th December 2009
http://www.smh.com.au/small-business/why-workplace-bullying-is-a-small-business-problem-20091211-knn1.html
Central Coast police join alcohol-related violence
Premier Kristina Keneally and Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione today launched a special two-day campaign targeting alcohol-related violence on the Central Coast.
Operation Unite starts at 6pm tonight and will take place simultaneously across every Australian state as well as New Zealand in the special trans-Tasman operation.
“Police have had enough of dealing with alcohol-fuelled crime, including violence in and around licensed premises, assaults on our streets, the rising road toll and domestic violence,” Ms Keneally said.
“People deserve to go out for the night and not be intimidated by violence."
“Police don’t want to stop you having a good time – they just want everyone to make responsible choices."
Ms Keneally said officers will be involved in overt and covert operations over the next two days around licensed premises, on public transport and in other known violence hotspots to send the message that enough is enough.
“In addition, Local Area Commands across the state will be running their own mini-Unite operations focusing on alcohol related crime," she said.
“While this blitz only lasts for two days, Commissioner Scipione says it is the first of many police operations over summer targeting alcohol-related crime.”
NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione renewed his call for greater personal responsibility to solve the long term problem of alcohol related violence.
“Real change can only be achieved by people changing their attitudes and ending their love affair with alcohol abuse," he said.
“We need to look out for each other and take responsibility for our own actions.”
Ms Keneally said that the latest Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) figures showed the NSW Government’s approach to alcohol-fuelled violence was working.
“The most recent BOSCAR statistics show that there has been a drop of up to eight per cent in the number of alcohol-related assaults in licenced premises deemed as the state’s most violent,” Ms Keneally said.
“Even more encouraging is the dramatic drop in the number of glassings, which has fallen by 86 per cent in premises named in the Top 48 list.
“This is not about drinking, this is about alcohol abuse. How much you drink, what you drink, and how you behave when you drink is your responsibility.”
The NSW Police Force will be using all available resources as part of Operation Unite including;
• Public Order and Riot Squad
• Drug Dogs
• Mounted Police Unit
• Aviation Support Branch
• Highway Patrol
• Commuter Crime Unit
• Marine Area Command
• Alcohol Licensing Enforcement Command
• Operational Support Group
Issued by The Coast News 11th December 2009
http://www.thecoastnews.com.au/central-coast/429-central-coast-police-join-alcohol-related-violence-.html
Operation Unite starts at 6pm tonight and will take place simultaneously across every Australian state as well as New Zealand in the special trans-Tasman operation.
“Police have had enough of dealing with alcohol-fuelled crime, including violence in and around licensed premises, assaults on our streets, the rising road toll and domestic violence,” Ms Keneally said.
“People deserve to go out for the night and not be intimidated by violence."
“Police don’t want to stop you having a good time – they just want everyone to make responsible choices."
Ms Keneally said officers will be involved in overt and covert operations over the next two days around licensed premises, on public transport and in other known violence hotspots to send the message that enough is enough.
“In addition, Local Area Commands across the state will be running their own mini-Unite operations focusing on alcohol related crime," she said.
“While this blitz only lasts for two days, Commissioner Scipione says it is the first of many police operations over summer targeting alcohol-related crime.”
NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione renewed his call for greater personal responsibility to solve the long term problem of alcohol related violence.
“Real change can only be achieved by people changing their attitudes and ending their love affair with alcohol abuse," he said.
“We need to look out for each other and take responsibility for our own actions.”
Ms Keneally said that the latest Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) figures showed the NSW Government’s approach to alcohol-fuelled violence was working.
“The most recent BOSCAR statistics show that there has been a drop of up to eight per cent in the number of alcohol-related assaults in licenced premises deemed as the state’s most violent,” Ms Keneally said.
“Even more encouraging is the dramatic drop in the number of glassings, which has fallen by 86 per cent in premises named in the Top 48 list.
“This is not about drinking, this is about alcohol abuse. How much you drink, what you drink, and how you behave when you drink is your responsibility.”
The NSW Police Force will be using all available resources as part of Operation Unite including;
• Public Order and Riot Squad
• Drug Dogs
• Mounted Police Unit
• Aviation Support Branch
• Highway Patrol
• Commuter Crime Unit
• Marine Area Command
• Alcohol Licensing Enforcement Command
• Operational Support Group
Issued by The Coast News 11th December 2009
http://www.thecoastnews.com.au/central-coast/429-central-coast-police-join-alcohol-related-violence-.html
Drunken NSW brawlers face crack down
Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione has a strong message for Sydney drinkers this weekend: violence will not be tolerated.
One thousand extra police officers will converge on Sydney CBD, Surry Hills and Kings Cross this weekend as NSW does its bit in the nationwide Operation
Unite, targeting alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour.
Premier Kristina Keneally says the operation is about sending a strong message to the community.
"Take personal responsibility for your own actions, take personal responsibility for people around you," Ms Keneally said at a media conference on Friday.
Mr Scipione said alcohol was the single biggest problem facing police officers in Sydney.
"If you intend to go out and get paralytic and vomit and fight and abuse people and damage property then there is no real place for you on our streets," Mr Scipione said.
Asked whether she would consider raising the legal drinking age, Ms Keneally said she would welcome a debate on the issue.
"I don't think there is a magic age," she said.
However, Mr Scipione said a large percentage of alcohol offenders were aged between 12 and 17, below the legal drinking age.
Operation Unite will continue until six o'clock on Monday morning in all Australian states and territories, and also in New Zealand
Issued by The Sydney Morning Herald 11th December 2009
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/drunken-nsw-brawlers-face-crack-down-20091211-kngn.html
One thousand extra police officers will converge on Sydney CBD, Surry Hills and Kings Cross this weekend as NSW does its bit in the nationwide Operation
Unite, targeting alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour.
Premier Kristina Keneally says the operation is about sending a strong message to the community.
"Take personal responsibility for your own actions, take personal responsibility for people around you," Ms Keneally said at a media conference on Friday.
Mr Scipione said alcohol was the single biggest problem facing police officers in Sydney.
"If you intend to go out and get paralytic and vomit and fight and abuse people and damage property then there is no real place for you on our streets," Mr Scipione said.
Asked whether she would consider raising the legal drinking age, Ms Keneally said she would welcome a debate on the issue.
"I don't think there is a magic age," she said.
However, Mr Scipione said a large percentage of alcohol offenders were aged between 12 and 17, below the legal drinking age.
Operation Unite will continue until six o'clock on Monday morning in all Australian states and territories, and also in New Zealand
Issued by The Sydney Morning Herald 11th December 2009
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/drunken-nsw-brawlers-face-crack-down-20091211-kngn.html
Record Loss for Pokie Punters
Northern Territorians are losing more than three times as much money on twice as many electronic gaming machines (pokies) at Territory clubs and hotels than they were 12 years ago.
A study of poker machine expenditure in the Northern Territory has found that the number of pokies in community venues across the Territory increased from 495 in 1996/97 to 1173 in 2008/09.
Total expenditure (money spent minus any winnings) jumped from $16.2 million to more than $78.6 million in the same period.
In the Territory’s community venues and casinos combined, there were 2059 poker machines in the 2008/09 financial year with a combined player loss of $170.2 million. In the casinos alone, player loss on pokies was $91.5 million.
The study’s co-author and leading gambling researcher at Charles Darwin University’s School for Social and Policy Research, Dr Martin Young, said Darwin’s northern suburbs, Palmerston and Alice Springs’s northern and western suburbs were now the jurisdiction’s pokie machine “hot spots”.
Dr Young said the growth in the number of machines was a concern.
“Problem gambling is partly determined by how easily people can access gambling venues, including pokies.”
He also said that the research, which is funded by the NT Government’s Community Benefit Fund, was essential for the design of effective gambling regulation.
“What this research tells us is that evidence-based gambling harm minimisation policy should focus on supply. In almost every venue where the number of pokies has increased, we’ve seen an increase in spending and player loss.”
The study also revealed that gambling expenditure followed a seasonal pattern.
“Every year, more money is spent on pokie machines in the winter and less in the summer. We don’t actually know what proportion is spent by Territorians or by tourists,” Dr Young said.
Considering the first pokie machine outside of the Territory’s two casinos was switched on in the Nightcliff Sports Club on New Year’s Day 1996, the study has revealed a dramatic shift in NT gambling activity.
But unlike other parts of Australia, the study revealed no evidence of a correlation between the number of pokies and social disadvantage within the venueslocal area.
Issued by The Shout 11th December 2009
http://theshout.com.au/2009/12/11/article/Record-Loss-for-Pokie-Punters/CDYYWFXLWC
A study of poker machine expenditure in the Northern Territory has found that the number of pokies in community venues across the Territory increased from 495 in 1996/97 to 1173 in 2008/09.
Total expenditure (money spent minus any winnings) jumped from $16.2 million to more than $78.6 million in the same period.
In the Territory’s community venues and casinos combined, there were 2059 poker machines in the 2008/09 financial year with a combined player loss of $170.2 million. In the casinos alone, player loss on pokies was $91.5 million.
The study’s co-author and leading gambling researcher at Charles Darwin University’s School for Social and Policy Research, Dr Martin Young, said Darwin’s northern suburbs, Palmerston and Alice Springs’s northern and western suburbs were now the jurisdiction’s pokie machine “hot spots”.
Dr Young said the growth in the number of machines was a concern.
“Problem gambling is partly determined by how easily people can access gambling venues, including pokies.”
He also said that the research, which is funded by the NT Government’s Community Benefit Fund, was essential for the design of effective gambling regulation.
“What this research tells us is that evidence-based gambling harm minimisation policy should focus on supply. In almost every venue where the number of pokies has increased, we’ve seen an increase in spending and player loss.”
The study also revealed that gambling expenditure followed a seasonal pattern.
“Every year, more money is spent on pokie machines in the winter and less in the summer. We don’t actually know what proportion is spent by Territorians or by tourists,” Dr Young said.
Considering the first pokie machine outside of the Territory’s two casinos was switched on in the Nightcliff Sports Club on New Year’s Day 1996, the study has revealed a dramatic shift in NT gambling activity.
But unlike other parts of Australia, the study revealed no evidence of a correlation between the number of pokies and social disadvantage within the venueslocal area.
Issued by The Shout 11th December 2009
http://theshout.com.au/2009/12/11/article/Record-Loss-for-Pokie-Punters/CDYYWFXLWC
Salvos endorse police blitz on drunken violence
The Salvation Army strongly endorses “Operation Unite”, the police crackdown on alcohol-related violence, to take place this weekend across Australia and New Zealand.
Gerard Byrne of The Salvation Army Recovery Services emphasised the need to address the overuse of alcohol in the Australian community, and associated violent behaviour.
“It’s time to change the way we use alcohol as a community. The misuse of alcohol is closely linked with violent behaviour,” he said.
“National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) research indicates a direct link between volumes of alcohol consumed in a community and the level of violence experienced, revealing 43% of people who commit violence are intoxicated at the time. Recent NDRI research shows a link between extended alcohol venue trading hours and admissions to emergency departments in hospitals.
“Similarly, research by the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation (AERF) found other issues associated with drunkenness, such as property damage and loud and unruly street behaviour, are more of a problem for people who live closer to licensed premises than for people who live some distance away.
“We also believe the question must be asked: ‘What happens when those involved in alcohol-related violence return to their homes?”
“The community is concerned with the situation. Recent AERF research shows more than 14 million Australians are concerned about alcohol-related violence.
“As the police blitz takes place over the next two days, we would like to remind the community that local Salvos will be out and about conducting their normal pub and hotel ministry this Friday night. The Salvos are available to offer a listening ear or to assist in any other way they can, particularly for people and families where alcohol issues are prevalent.
“Close to 1 in 5 Australians say they or someone in their life has been affected by alcohol-related violence. The Salvation Army hopes that this combined effort by the police will assist in combating the problem,” said Byrne.
Issued by IBT Times 11th December 2009
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/prnews/20091210/salvos-endorse-police-blitz-on-drunken-violence.htm
Gerard Byrne of The Salvation Army Recovery Services emphasised the need to address the overuse of alcohol in the Australian community, and associated violent behaviour.
“It’s time to change the way we use alcohol as a community. The misuse of alcohol is closely linked with violent behaviour,” he said.
“National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) research indicates a direct link between volumes of alcohol consumed in a community and the level of violence experienced, revealing 43% of people who commit violence are intoxicated at the time. Recent NDRI research shows a link between extended alcohol venue trading hours and admissions to emergency departments in hospitals.
“Similarly, research by the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation (AERF) found other issues associated with drunkenness, such as property damage and loud and unruly street behaviour, are more of a problem for people who live closer to licensed premises than for people who live some distance away.
“We also believe the question must be asked: ‘What happens when those involved in alcohol-related violence return to their homes?”
“The community is concerned with the situation. Recent AERF research shows more than 14 million Australians are concerned about alcohol-related violence.
“As the police blitz takes place over the next two days, we would like to remind the community that local Salvos will be out and about conducting their normal pub and hotel ministry this Friday night. The Salvos are available to offer a listening ear or to assist in any other way they can, particularly for people and families where alcohol issues are prevalent.
“Close to 1 in 5 Australians say they or someone in their life has been affected by alcohol-related violence. The Salvation Army hopes that this combined effort by the police will assist in combating the problem,” said Byrne.
Issued by IBT Times 11th December 2009
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/prnews/20091210/salvos-endorse-police-blitz-on-drunken-violence.htm
Crackdown on booze-fuelled violence at Melbourne and Victorian nightspots
HUNDREDS of extra police will converge on nightspots tonight as part of a national crackdown on crime and alcohol-fuelled violence.
At least 800 additional members on foot and van patrols will be joined by plainclothes licensing police inside venues, traffic units and booze buses at nightspot areas in Melbourne, Geelong, Frankston, Bendigo, Ballarat and Bairnsdale.
They will join police across Australia in Operation Unite to tackle revellers who drink to excess and behave violently.
Chief Commissioner Simon Overland said the weekend blitz was aimed at creating safer cities for the community to enjoy.
"But as well as stronger enforcement, I strongly believe there is also a need for cultural change and an improved licensing system," he said. "We can't just stop the violence. We need to find out why it is happening."
Issued by The Herald Sun 11th December 2009
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/crackdown-on-booze-fuelled-violence-at-melbourne-and-victorian-nightspots/story-e6frf7kx-1225809264981
At least 800 additional members on foot and van patrols will be joined by plainclothes licensing police inside venues, traffic units and booze buses at nightspot areas in Melbourne, Geelong, Frankston, Bendigo, Ballarat and Bairnsdale.
They will join police across Australia in Operation Unite to tackle revellers who drink to excess and behave violently.
Chief Commissioner Simon Overland said the weekend blitz was aimed at creating safer cities for the community to enjoy.
"But as well as stronger enforcement, I strongly believe there is also a need for cultural change and an improved licensing system," he said. "We can't just stop the violence. We need to find out why it is happening."
Issued by The Herald Sun 11th December 2009
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/crackdown-on-booze-fuelled-violence-at-melbourne-and-victorian-nightspots/story-e6frf7kx-1225809264981
Operation Unite to target drunken violence
POLICE will be out in force across the region this weekend, taking a united stand against drunken violence.
Operation Unite will see thousands of police from Australia and New Zealand flood capital cities and towns today for a two-day blitz aimed at tackling alcohol-fuelled crime and anti-social behaviour.
St Marys local area command head of operations Inspector Kevin Dodds said officers from St Marys would conduct their own Operation Unite as well as assisting other areas.
“All police jurisdictions across Australia and New Zealand will be focusing on reducing alcohol-related crime, violence and anti-social behaviour,” he said.
“How we’re going to do that is look at previous incidents of alcohol-related crime, hot spots as to where it occurs, licensing compliance and areas known for anti-social behaviour.
“We’ll be targeting most of the major CBD areas ... obviously Kingswood, Werrington, St Marys, St Clair and Erskine Park.”
The operation will use a multi-disciplinary approach, with NSW Police officers from different branches covering LACs across the state.
Branches will include the Public Order and Riot Squad, the Alcohol Law Enforcement Command, Commuter Crime Unit and mounted police.
Insp Dodds said St Marys LAC would have PolAir and OSG, the Operational Support Group - specially trained police who can assist in relation to anti-social behaviour issues.
“Our message is that police will not tolerate forms of anti-social behaviour or alcohol-related crime,” he said.
“This operation is about making our streets safe, particularly at this time of year with the warmer weather, and ensuring people are drinking responsibly.”
Issued by Penrith Press 11th December 2009
http://penrith-press.whereilive.com.au/news/story/operation-unite-to-target-drunken-violence/
Operation Unite will see thousands of police from Australia and New Zealand flood capital cities and towns today for a two-day blitz aimed at tackling alcohol-fuelled crime and anti-social behaviour.
St Marys local area command head of operations Inspector Kevin Dodds said officers from St Marys would conduct their own Operation Unite as well as assisting other areas.
“All police jurisdictions across Australia and New Zealand will be focusing on reducing alcohol-related crime, violence and anti-social behaviour,” he said.
“How we’re going to do that is look at previous incidents of alcohol-related crime, hot spots as to where it occurs, licensing compliance and areas known for anti-social behaviour.
“We’ll be targeting most of the major CBD areas ... obviously Kingswood, Werrington, St Marys, St Clair and Erskine Park.”
The operation will use a multi-disciplinary approach, with NSW Police officers from different branches covering LACs across the state.
Branches will include the Public Order and Riot Squad, the Alcohol Law Enforcement Command, Commuter Crime Unit and mounted police.
Insp Dodds said St Marys LAC would have PolAir and OSG, the Operational Support Group - specially trained police who can assist in relation to anti-social behaviour issues.
“Our message is that police will not tolerate forms of anti-social behaviour or alcohol-related crime,” he said.
“This operation is about making our streets safe, particularly at this time of year with the warmer weather, and ensuring people are drinking responsibly.”
Issued by Penrith Press 11th December 2009
http://penrith-press.whereilive.com.au/news/story/operation-unite-to-target-drunken-violence/
Nationwide campaign to crack-down on alcohol violence
THEY'VE had three weeks warning to clean up their act. From tonight drunken thugs across the state will be the target of a police crackdown on booze-fuelled violence.
Operation Unite - a two-day nationwide blitz announced in The Advertiser last month - will result in 200 officers flooding the CBD, Glenelg, Gawler and Mt Gambier.
The operation is designed to highlight a zero tolerance ap- proach to drunken violence and other alcohol-related crime.
The brainchild of police chiefs across Australia and New Zealand, Operation Unite will involve drug and drink driving tests, inspecting pubs and clubs and putting the brakes on troublemakers.
Deputy Commissioner Gary Burns said the blitz was developed during a meeting of deputy police commissioners in October.
"What we decided was to show the resolve of all police forces in Australia and New Zealand against alcohol-fuelled violence resulting from binge drinking," he said.
Police will hit the streets from 10pm tonight until 6am tomorrow and will be back out from 10pm Saturday for a further eight hours.
Uniformed police will be joined by officers from the licensing enforcement branch, STAR Group, mounted patrols and traffic operations, and a drug detection dog.
"We expect people to go out and have a good time, but we want them to drink responsibly," Mr Burns said.
Licensing enforcement police will be checking overcrowding in pubs and clubs, underage drinking and the serving of drunk patrons.
"Australia-wide last year, 3000 lives were lost due to alcohol-related harm - it's a major issue," Mr Burns said. A major focus during Operation Unite will be
Hindley St, with police already involved in a State Government review of licensing legislation that could force Hindley St pubs to close early.
Yesterday, the SA branch of the Australian Hotels Association called on venues and patrons to do the right thing. "Ultimately appropriate behaviour must come from the individual - no amount of police power can enforce it," general manager Ian Horne said.
Issued by Adelaide Now 11th December 2009
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,,26469116-2682,00.html
Operation Unite - a two-day nationwide blitz announced in The Advertiser last month - will result in 200 officers flooding the CBD, Glenelg, Gawler and Mt Gambier.
The operation is designed to highlight a zero tolerance ap- proach to drunken violence and other alcohol-related crime.
The brainchild of police chiefs across Australia and New Zealand, Operation Unite will involve drug and drink driving tests, inspecting pubs and clubs and putting the brakes on troublemakers.
Deputy Commissioner Gary Burns said the blitz was developed during a meeting of deputy police commissioners in October.
"What we decided was to show the resolve of all police forces in Australia and New Zealand against alcohol-fuelled violence resulting from binge drinking," he said.
Police will hit the streets from 10pm tonight until 6am tomorrow and will be back out from 10pm Saturday for a further eight hours.
Uniformed police will be joined by officers from the licensing enforcement branch, STAR Group, mounted patrols and traffic operations, and a drug detection dog.
"We expect people to go out and have a good time, but we want them to drink responsibly," Mr Burns said.
Licensing enforcement police will be checking overcrowding in pubs and clubs, underage drinking and the serving of drunk patrons.
"Australia-wide last year, 3000 lives were lost due to alcohol-related harm - it's a major issue," Mr Burns said. A major focus during Operation Unite will be
Hindley St, with police already involved in a State Government review of licensing legislation that could force Hindley St pubs to close early.
Yesterday, the SA branch of the Australian Hotels Association called on venues and patrons to do the right thing. "Ultimately appropriate behaviour must come from the individual - no amount of police power can enforce it," general manager Ian Horne said.
Issued by Adelaide Now 11th December 2009
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,,26469116-2682,00.html
Party blitz starts tonight
ROCKHAMPTON cops won’t tolerate any unruly behaviour this weekend as the party season gets into full swing.
Police yesterday put revellers on notice that they’d be out in force for a crackdown on alcohol-fuelled crime and anti-social behaviour across the region.
Tonight and tomorrow night more than 20 extra officers will take part in Operation Unite, a blitz targeting licensed venues in Rockhampton and Yeppoon.
Drink drivers are also in the firing line with extra traffic branch crews on the roads.
The move was yesterday welcomed by some Rockhampton nightclub and hotel licensees.
Rockhampton district Inspector Marcus Hill said the operation would see the tactical crime squad bolster police presence on the Capricorn Coast.
Police will ensure alcohol is being served responsibly, IDs are being checked and that revellers don’t step out of line.
“We’re not trying to stop people having a good time,” Inspector Hill said
“It’s the very small minority who go out, drink too much and want to fight. It gives the locality and the premises a bad image.”
With the start of the school holidays, Inspector Hill said party gatecrashers were also a major concern, particularly for alcohol related assaults.
“Assaults and alcohol related crime is a big concern in the CBD due to the locality but we’re seeing a greater problem with assault occurring at parties,”
Inspector Hill said.
Manager of Strutters Nightclub, Wayne Klerkx, said any police presence was good.
“It deters patrons from doing the wrong thing and if there is an issue that needs to be resolved, it will happen straight away,” Mr Klerkx said.
Mr Klerkx said he was all for a safe environment in his club to ensure everyone had a good night.
Josh Jones from the Oxford Hotel said as an active member of the Liquor Industry Action Group, he applauded local police for doing all they could to stamp out the few trouble makers.
“The majority are well behaved, it’s just the small minority that make the whole industry look bad,” Mr Jones said.
“The more police resources police put in to help fix the problem is much appreciated from us,” he said.
Operation Unite is being rolled out across Australia and New Zealand and is in conjunction with another police operation which targets alcohol related violence and runs through to January 31.
Issued by The Morning Bulleting (Rockhampton) 11th December 2009
http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/story/2009/12/11/party-blitz-starts-tonight/
Police yesterday put revellers on notice that they’d be out in force for a crackdown on alcohol-fuelled crime and anti-social behaviour across the region.
Tonight and tomorrow night more than 20 extra officers will take part in Operation Unite, a blitz targeting licensed venues in Rockhampton and Yeppoon.
Drink drivers are also in the firing line with extra traffic branch crews on the roads.
The move was yesterday welcomed by some Rockhampton nightclub and hotel licensees.
Rockhampton district Inspector Marcus Hill said the operation would see the tactical crime squad bolster police presence on the Capricorn Coast.
Police will ensure alcohol is being served responsibly, IDs are being checked and that revellers don’t step out of line.
“We’re not trying to stop people having a good time,” Inspector Hill said
“It’s the very small minority who go out, drink too much and want to fight. It gives the locality and the premises a bad image.”
With the start of the school holidays, Inspector Hill said party gatecrashers were also a major concern, particularly for alcohol related assaults.
“Assaults and alcohol related crime is a big concern in the CBD due to the locality but we’re seeing a greater problem with assault occurring at parties,”
Inspector Hill said.
Manager of Strutters Nightclub, Wayne Klerkx, said any police presence was good.
“It deters patrons from doing the wrong thing and if there is an issue that needs to be resolved, it will happen straight away,” Mr Klerkx said.
Mr Klerkx said he was all for a safe environment in his club to ensure everyone had a good night.
Josh Jones from the Oxford Hotel said as an active member of the Liquor Industry Action Group, he applauded local police for doing all they could to stamp out the few trouble makers.
“The majority are well behaved, it’s just the small minority that make the whole industry look bad,” Mr Jones said.
“The more police resources police put in to help fix the problem is much appreciated from us,” he said.
Operation Unite is being rolled out across Australia and New Zealand and is in conjunction with another police operation which targets alcohol related violence and runs through to January 31.
Issued by The Morning Bulleting (Rockhampton) 11th December 2009
http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/story/2009/12/11/party-blitz-starts-tonight/
Central Coast police in blitz against alcohol-fuelled crime
ALCOHOL-RELATED crime in Australia costs $1.7 billion a year and Central Coast police are about to do more to tackle the problem.
They will be joining police from around Australia and New Zealand today and over the weekend in Operation Unite - a major blitz on alcohol-fuelled crime.
Hot-spots on the coast to be targeted will include Umina Beach, Terrigal, Norah Head and Toukley.
But extra police will be joining normal patrols to make sure all areas are covered.
This is the first time an operation like this has been conducted.
“There is a correlation between alcohol and the offences of malicious damage, domestic violence and assault, not only in juveniles but across the broader
spectrum of the community,” Brisbane Water acting crime manager Greg Thomas said.
“It is a problem on the coast, but no matter where you go, rural areas or the CBD, the story is the same.”
“Nearly all the stories reported by the media about violence and all those other issues you can guarantee that there is alcohol involved.”
“We need to educate parents about keeping tabs on their children, especially if they are under 18. Most probably don’t know what goes on.
“They can’t remain oblivious and hope to reduce alcohol-related violence.”
Issued by Express Advocate Gosford December 11th 2009
http://express-advocate-gosford.whereilive.com.au/news/story/central-coast-police-in-blitz-against-alcohol-fuelled-crime/
They will be joining police from around Australia and New Zealand today and over the weekend in Operation Unite - a major blitz on alcohol-fuelled crime.
Hot-spots on the coast to be targeted will include Umina Beach, Terrigal, Norah Head and Toukley.
But extra police will be joining normal patrols to make sure all areas are covered.
This is the first time an operation like this has been conducted.
“There is a correlation between alcohol and the offences of malicious damage, domestic violence and assault, not only in juveniles but across the broader
spectrum of the community,” Brisbane Water acting crime manager Greg Thomas said.
“It is a problem on the coast, but no matter where you go, rural areas or the CBD, the story is the same.”
“Nearly all the stories reported by the media about violence and all those other issues you can guarantee that there is alcohol involved.”
“We need to educate parents about keeping tabs on their children, especially if they are under 18. Most probably don’t know what goes on.
“They can’t remain oblivious and hope to reduce alcohol-related violence.”
Issued by Express Advocate Gosford December 11th 2009
http://express-advocate-gosford.whereilive.com.au/news/story/central-coast-police-in-blitz-against-alcohol-fuelled-crime/
FRASER Coast police will join officers from across Australia and New Zealand for a massive crackdown on drunken violence and anti-social behaviour ove
Operation Unite is the first of its kind, involving co-ordinated action by police forces in all states and jurisdictions.
Sergeant Mick Bleakley of Hervey Bay police said officers would tonight and tomorrow be focused on licensed premises, antisocial behaviour and breaches of
liquor licensing legislation.
“Police will be making high-visibility patrols within the Maryborough District – that’s Maryborough and Hervey Bay,” Sgt Bleakley said.
“We’ll not only be looking at licensed premises but we’ll also be targeting known areas where people congregate to consume liquor at night.
“We’re also focusing on pubs’ compliance with the Liquor Act and making sure publicans are complying with responsible service of alcohol.”
Sgt Bleakley said officers would also be inspecting venues to ensure they had adequate management and security structure in place.
Operation Unite is the result of a forum held in Perth in November, where police commissioners from Australia and New Zealand gathered to discuss their
commitment to changing the culture of binge-drinking in public places and getting the drinking public to take greater responsibility for its conduct.
“We want to send a strong message to irresponsible people that their actions will not be tolerated,” Maryborough District Operations Inspector Daryl Powell
said.
“We want the public to be able to have a good time in a safe environment.”
Despite the operation running for just two days, he said police would remain out in force until the new year.
Issued by Fraser Coast Chronicle December 11th 2009
http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/story/2009/12/11/crackdown-on-drunken-violence/
Sergeant Mick Bleakley of Hervey Bay police said officers would tonight and tomorrow be focused on licensed premises, antisocial behaviour and breaches of
liquor licensing legislation.
“Police will be making high-visibility patrols within the Maryborough District – that’s Maryborough and Hervey Bay,” Sgt Bleakley said.
“We’ll not only be looking at licensed premises but we’ll also be targeting known areas where people congregate to consume liquor at night.
“We’re also focusing on pubs’ compliance with the Liquor Act and making sure publicans are complying with responsible service of alcohol.”
Sgt Bleakley said officers would also be inspecting venues to ensure they had adequate management and security structure in place.
Operation Unite is the result of a forum held in Perth in November, where police commissioners from Australia and New Zealand gathered to discuss their
commitment to changing the culture of binge-drinking in public places and getting the drinking public to take greater responsibility for its conduct.
“We want to send a strong message to irresponsible people that their actions will not be tolerated,” Maryborough District Operations Inspector Daryl Powell
said.
“We want the public to be able to have a good time in a safe environment.”
Despite the operation running for just two days, he said police would remain out in force until the new year.
Issued by Fraser Coast Chronicle December 11th 2009
http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/story/2009/12/11/crackdown-on-drunken-violence/
Doctors blame booze violence for more facial injuries
DOCTORS blame alcohol-fuelled violence for a doubling in the number of severe facial injuries requiring surgery during the past year.
As police launch Operation Unite in the state's party zones tonight, Queensland's leading facial reconstruction surgeons are reeling from the carnage in
hospital waiting rooms.
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital maxillo-facial surgeons – who spend much of their time operating on patients with injuries caused by punches, kicks to
the head, falls and car crashes – treated 62 such cases in May, compared with 29 in June, 2008. Between 2005 and 2008, facial trauma cases at the hospital
rose 30 per cent a year, far ahead of population
RBWH surgeon Anthony Lynham blamed the huge spike on "alcohol, alcohol and alcohol" ahead of the unprecedented police blitz on booze-fuelled violence.
"Every Monday morning I see a waiting room overflowing, with people sitting in the corridor outside," he said.
Dr Lynham said the massive increase in workload for the surgeons was blowing out waiting times for elective surgery.
"Routinely, other cases . . . are cancelled and placed back on waiting lists to accommodate this mounting trauma load," Dr Lynham said.
Royal Australian College of Surgeons' trauma committee chairman Daryl Wall said changes in how young people socialised were partly responsible: "One of
the things is the sheer number of people who do go out after 10 o'clock at night."
His views were backed by Dr Lynham.
Both called for a 2am nightclub curfew.
Dr Lynham would also like to see better access to public transport at night and an increase in taxi fares to encourage more cab drivers to work after midnight.
"We need to get people out of the CBD so they're not encouraged to hang around drunk and fight," he said.
Issued by Courier Mail December 11th 2009
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26469561-952,00.html
As police launch Operation Unite in the state's party zones tonight, Queensland's leading facial reconstruction surgeons are reeling from the carnage in
hospital waiting rooms.
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital maxillo-facial surgeons – who spend much of their time operating on patients with injuries caused by punches, kicks to
the head, falls and car crashes – treated 62 such cases in May, compared with 29 in June, 2008. Between 2005 and 2008, facial trauma cases at the hospital
rose 30 per cent a year, far ahead of population
RBWH surgeon Anthony Lynham blamed the huge spike on "alcohol, alcohol and alcohol" ahead of the unprecedented police blitz on booze-fuelled violence.
"Every Monday morning I see a waiting room overflowing, with people sitting in the corridor outside," he said.
Dr Lynham said the massive increase in workload for the surgeons was blowing out waiting times for elective surgery.
"Routinely, other cases . . . are cancelled and placed back on waiting lists to accommodate this mounting trauma load," Dr Lynham said.
Royal Australian College of Surgeons' trauma committee chairman Daryl Wall said changes in how young people socialised were partly responsible: "One of
the things is the sheer number of people who do go out after 10 o'clock at night."
His views were backed by Dr Lynham.
Both called for a 2am nightclub curfew.
Dr Lynham would also like to see better access to public transport at night and an increase in taxi fares to encourage more cab drivers to work after midnight.
"We need to get people out of the CBD so they're not encouraged to hang around drunk and fight," he said.
Issued by Courier Mail December 11th 2009
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26469561-952,00.html
Countdown to Operation Unite: a police blitz on drunken violence
Thousands of extra police across the nation will flood capital cities and towns on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th December for a blitz aimed at tackling alcohol
-fuelled crime and antisocial behaviour.
The crackdown - codenamed Operation Unite - will be a first of its kind and is a comprehensive and coordinated action by police forces in all states and
jurisdictions.
It will demonstrate the united resolve of commissioners to change Australia and New Zealand’s culture of binge drinking in public places, and challenge the
drinking public to take greater responsibility for their conduct.
In Victoria, hundreds of extra police will flood onto the streets in Melbourne CBD, Frankston, Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat. Police commanders will also
retain the flexibility to rapidly respond to other locations, wherever trouble might flare up.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Simon Overland said that enforcement could only ever be a part of the solution – and that further actions were needed
from a range of stakeholders to successfully confront the causes and problems associated with alcohol misuse.
Mr Overland said: “We all share the belief that more can, and must, be done to tackle the dangerous binge drinking culture which has developed among our
younger generations.
“Alcohol fuelled violence is one of the most pressing social challenges of our time. No state or territory is immune to this problem. It is costing us millions
of dollars each year and shattering many, many young lives.
“The ‘drink to get drunk’ culture cannot become the norm and that is why we are taking decisive action. This is a problem we cannot arrest our way out of. We
need greater personal and parental responsibility. And there is a need for stronger policing.
“It’s about making people safer and more secure and sending a clear message that enough is enough. We are not out to curb the enjoyment but instead tackle
this problem with a heightened sense of commitment and urgency.
“That is why we are here announcing a national weekend of enforcement on December 11-12 2009, focusing on crime, violence and anti-social alcohol-related
behaviour in known nightspot locations.
“We all firmly believe that it is not just a case of stopping the violence. We need to find out why it is happening in the first place and start looking at the long
term issues to ensure that these factors don’t influence future generations.”
Hopefully your Mum doesn't get a call like this!!
Issued by Victoria Police News December 9th 2009
http://www.vicpolicenews.com.au/more-news/2382-countdown-to-operation-unite-a-police-blitz-on-drunken-violence.html
-fuelled crime and antisocial behaviour.
The crackdown - codenamed Operation Unite - will be a first of its kind and is a comprehensive and coordinated action by police forces in all states and
jurisdictions.
It will demonstrate the united resolve of commissioners to change Australia and New Zealand’s culture of binge drinking in public places, and challenge the
drinking public to take greater responsibility for their conduct.
In Victoria, hundreds of extra police will flood onto the streets in Melbourne CBD, Frankston, Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat. Police commanders will also
retain the flexibility to rapidly respond to other locations, wherever trouble might flare up.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Simon Overland said that enforcement could only ever be a part of the solution – and that further actions were needed
from a range of stakeholders to successfully confront the causes and problems associated with alcohol misuse.
Mr Overland said: “We all share the belief that more can, and must, be done to tackle the dangerous binge drinking culture which has developed among our
younger generations.
“Alcohol fuelled violence is one of the most pressing social challenges of our time. No state or territory is immune to this problem. It is costing us millions
of dollars each year and shattering many, many young lives.
“The ‘drink to get drunk’ culture cannot become the norm and that is why we are taking decisive action. This is a problem we cannot arrest our way out of. We
need greater personal and parental responsibility. And there is a need for stronger policing.
“It’s about making people safer and more secure and sending a clear message that enough is enough. We are not out to curb the enjoyment but instead tackle
this problem with a heightened sense of commitment and urgency.
“That is why we are here announcing a national weekend of enforcement on December 11-12 2009, focusing on crime, violence and anti-social alcohol-related
behaviour in known nightspot locations.
“We all firmly believe that it is not just a case of stopping the violence. We need to find out why it is happening in the first place and start looking at the long
term issues to ensure that these factors don’t influence future generations.”
Hopefully your Mum doesn't get a call like this!!
Issued by Victoria Police News December 9th 2009
http://www.vicpolicenews.com.au/more-news/2382-countdown-to-operation-unite-a-police-blitz-on-drunken-violence.html
Outdoor smoking ban passed
Smoking in Canberra's outdoor areas of pubs, clubs and restaurants will be banned in 12 months following the passage of tougher anti-smoking laws in the ACT Legislative Assembly yesterday.
The ACT Government successfully passed legislation which would make it illegal for venues to serve food and beverages in outdoor areas where smoking was permitted.
Smoking will be permitted where there is a sufficient buffer between the outdoor smoking and non-smoking areas.
ACT Health Minister Katy Gallagher said the laws would not take effect until December 1, 2010, to allow businesses to make the necessary changes to their outdoor areas to comply.
The Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union welcomed the ban.
The union's ACT division secretary Lyndal Ryan said the hospitality industry was the last area where workers had no choice about being exposed to passive smoke, and the new laws would put a stop to that.
But the Australian Hotels Association has criticised the new laws, arguing they will achieve no health benefits.
Issued by Canberra Times December 9th 2009
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/outdoor-smoking-ban-passed/1700178.aspx
The ACT Government successfully passed legislation which would make it illegal for venues to serve food and beverages in outdoor areas where smoking was permitted.
Smoking will be permitted where there is a sufficient buffer between the outdoor smoking and non-smoking areas.
ACT Health Minister Katy Gallagher said the laws would not take effect until December 1, 2010, to allow businesses to make the necessary changes to their outdoor areas to comply.
The Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union welcomed the ban.
The union's ACT division secretary Lyndal Ryan said the hospitality industry was the last area where workers had no choice about being exposed to passive smoke, and the new laws would put a stop to that.
But the Australian Hotels Association has criticised the new laws, arguing they will achieve no health benefits.
Issued by Canberra Times December 9th 2009
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/outdoor-smoking-ban-passed/1700178.aspx
Underage Drinking a Growing Problem in Australia
Australia has a drinking problem. More than 25 percent of 15-year-olds are binge drinking until they pass out, according to a news post. Taking in so much alcohol – especially at a young age – is likely to ensure brain damage.
Research into this area also revealed that more than one third of 11-year-old boys have consumed alcohol. Brain development experts are becoming alarmed, claiming an entire generation of young people is destroying their chance of reaching their full potential. In fact, cases of alcohol-related harm overall in Victoria have risen 77 percent from 1995 to 2005.
Many are pointing to liberal licensing laws as the cause of this epidemic of alcohol-fuelled injury and violence. As a result, family groups and adolescent experts are calling for the legal drinking age to be raised to 21.
Victoria Police statistics found that assaults in Melbourne rose 44 percent to close to 2,500 cases a year. Cases for hospitalization due to alcohol-related harm more than doubled from 11,571 to 23,144 between 1995 and 2005. In addition, the number of licensed premises in Victoria increased from 2,000 to 24,000.
Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg, adolescent psychologist, believes a rise in the drinking age is long overdue and cited the decrease in alcohol-related harm that occurred when the age was raised in Washington D.C.
Gabrielle Walsh, a spokeswoman for the Australian Family Association, asked for controls to be put on the spread of licensed venues. She also recommended a consideration in moving the legal drinking age to 21.
The concern for underage drinking – especially underage binge drinking – is very real. Already there has been a sharp rise in the number of women in their 20s being diagnosed with alcohol-acquired brain injury.
The State Highway Patrol, launched yesterday, replaces the Regional Traffic Tasking Units. Units will be based in Moorabbin, Corio, Epping, Boronia and Dandenong.
"More closely aligning the tax paid by Crown on its pokie revenue will raise more than $100 million over the next four years for Victorian hospitals and health services," he said in a statement. "This bill will end an historical anomaly where Crown paid a lower tax rate than other gaming venues in Victoria."
"This is about . . . removing dangerous drivers from Victoria's roads to cut the road toll and reduce serious injuries," Mr lay said.
Issued by Everything Addiction Decmeber 9th 2009
http://www.everythingaddiction.com/populations/teens-populations/underage-drinking-a-growing-problem-in-australia/
Research into this area also revealed that more than one third of 11-year-old boys have consumed alcohol. Brain development experts are becoming alarmed, claiming an entire generation of young people is destroying their chance of reaching their full potential. In fact, cases of alcohol-related harm overall in Victoria have risen 77 percent from 1995 to 2005.
Many are pointing to liberal licensing laws as the cause of this epidemic of alcohol-fuelled injury and violence. As a result, family groups and adolescent experts are calling for the legal drinking age to be raised to 21.
Victoria Police statistics found that assaults in Melbourne rose 44 percent to close to 2,500 cases a year. Cases for hospitalization due to alcohol-related harm more than doubled from 11,571 to 23,144 between 1995 and 2005. In addition, the number of licensed premises in Victoria increased from 2,000 to 24,000.
Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg, adolescent psychologist, believes a rise in the drinking age is long overdue and cited the decrease in alcohol-related harm that occurred when the age was raised in Washington D.C.
Gabrielle Walsh, a spokeswoman for the Australian Family Association, asked for controls to be put on the spread of licensed venues. She also recommended a consideration in moving the legal drinking age to 21.
The concern for underage drinking – especially underage binge drinking – is very real. Already there has been a sharp rise in the number of women in their 20s being diagnosed with alcohol-acquired brain injury.
The State Highway Patrol, launched yesterday, replaces the Regional Traffic Tasking Units. Units will be based in Moorabbin, Corio, Epping, Boronia and Dandenong.
"More closely aligning the tax paid by Crown on its pokie revenue will raise more than $100 million over the next four years for Victorian hospitals and health services," he said in a statement. "This bill will end an historical anomaly where Crown paid a lower tax rate than other gaming venues in Victoria."
"This is about . . . removing dangerous drivers from Victoria's roads to cut the road toll and reduce serious injuries," Mr lay said.
Issued by Everything Addiction Decmeber 9th 2009
http://www.everythingaddiction.com/populations/teens-populations/underage-drinking-a-growing-problem-in-australia/
Australian government allows Crown Casino to boost gaming tables
(Australia).- Legislation allowing Crown Casino to install 150 more gaming tables is set to pass this week after the Victorian government agreed to key concessions. Crown is set to increase its gaming tables from 350 to 500 in exchange for paying more tax on its poker machines.
The government announced the deal in May but the opposition had threatened to block the legislation in parliament. The coalition will now pass the legislation after the government announced on Monday it would agree to key concessions.
They include boosting problem gambling advertising by $1.5 million, $2.1 million extra for problem gambling research and $1.5 million for the Community Advocate on Gambling. An extra 20 trainers will be employed to teach gaming venue staff about the warning signs of problem gambling, more harm minimisation features will be developed on fully automated table games at the Melbourne casino and training standards will apply to staff working around them.
Under the new agreement, Crown's tax rates on its 2,500 poker machines will rise from 25 % to 32 % of players' gaming losses. Gaming Minister Tony Robinson welcomed the opposition's support and said the deal would mean Crown would pay taxes at a rate close to what the government charges other venues.
Issued by YOGONET.COM December 9th 2009
http://www.yogonet.com/english/2009/12/09/australian-government-allows-crown-casino-to-boost-gaming-tables
The government announced the deal in May but the opposition had threatened to block the legislation in parliament. The coalition will now pass the legislation after the government announced on Monday it would agree to key concessions.
They include boosting problem gambling advertising by $1.5 million, $2.1 million extra for problem gambling research and $1.5 million for the Community Advocate on Gambling. An extra 20 trainers will be employed to teach gaming venue staff about the warning signs of problem gambling, more harm minimisation features will be developed on fully automated table games at the Melbourne casino and training standards will apply to staff working around them.
Under the new agreement, Crown's tax rates on its 2,500 poker machines will rise from 25 % to 32 % of players' gaming losses. Gaming Minister Tony Robinson welcomed the opposition's support and said the deal would mean Crown would pay taxes at a rate close to what the government charges other venues.
Issued by YOGONET.COM December 9th 2009
http://www.yogonet.com/english/2009/12/09/australian-government-allows-crown-casino-to-boost-gaming-tables
Party safe ... or else
City revellers are being urged to "party but party safe" as police gear up for a statewide blitz on anti-social and violent behaviour.
CITY revellers are being urged to "party but party safe" as police gear up for a statewide blitz on anti-social and violent behaviour over the weekend.
Chief Commissioner Simon Overland said 800 police would target the CBD, Frankston, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo this weekend as part of the Australia-wide operation, codenamed Unite.
"We want people of all ages to be able to enjoy themselves in a safe environment," he said. "But if you want to get hopelessly drunk and violent you will be dealt with swiftly."
He said all booze buses would be on the roads and street police would be supported by dog and horse patrols. Licensed premises would be checked to make sure under-age or drunk patrons are not being served alcohol.
He said trouble-makers may decide to stay away from nightspots because of Operation Unite, "but if they see it as a challenge, it will be met.
We want people to have a great night out, a safe night out and to get home in one piece."
He said the blitz was a "foretaste of things to come" with the new Operational Response Unit to take to the streets from March next year.
The unit, which will eventually grow to 500, will be a mobile force used to blitz trouble spots, districts and transport areas.
Mr Overland said, "We are determined to get on top of these problems but will only do that with public support."
He said responsible nightclub owners supported Operation Unite. "They know that if alcohol-related violence is not controlled then people will just stop coming to these venues."
Meanwhile, quarrelsome, boozed-up revellers will receive $234 on-the-spot fines as part of another crackdown in the CBD over the festive season.
The $234 fines are part of a blitz on drunks in central Melbourne that includes a co-ordinated operation by police, the city council and licensees.
The No Excuses campaign is aimed at making drinkers aware that licensees can refuse them entry or ask them to leave if they are drunk, violent or disorderly on their premises.
Failure to leave can result in the on-the-spot fine.
Deputy Commissioner Ken Lay also said yesterday that more than 100 specialist road police, covering five areas, would target Victoria's most dangerous
highways.
Issued by The Age.com.au December 10th 2009
http://www.theage.com.au/national/party-safe---or-else-20091210-kkbw.html
CITY revellers are being urged to "party but party safe" as police gear up for a statewide blitz on anti-social and violent behaviour over the weekend.
Chief Commissioner Simon Overland said 800 police would target the CBD, Frankston, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo this weekend as part of the Australia-wide operation, codenamed Unite.
"We want people of all ages to be able to enjoy themselves in a safe environment," he said. "But if you want to get hopelessly drunk and violent you will be dealt with swiftly."
He said all booze buses would be on the roads and street police would be supported by dog and horse patrols. Licensed premises would be checked to make sure under-age or drunk patrons are not being served alcohol.
He said trouble-makers may decide to stay away from nightspots because of Operation Unite, "but if they see it as a challenge, it will be met.
We want people to have a great night out, a safe night out and to get home in one piece."
He said the blitz was a "foretaste of things to come" with the new Operational Response Unit to take to the streets from March next year.
The unit, which will eventually grow to 500, will be a mobile force used to blitz trouble spots, districts and transport areas.
Mr Overland said, "We are determined to get on top of these problems but will only do that with public support."
He said responsible nightclub owners supported Operation Unite. "They know that if alcohol-related violence is not controlled then people will just stop coming to these venues."
Meanwhile, quarrelsome, boozed-up revellers will receive $234 on-the-spot fines as part of another crackdown in the CBD over the festive season.
The $234 fines are part of a blitz on drunks in central Melbourne that includes a co-ordinated operation by police, the city council and licensees.
The No Excuses campaign is aimed at making drinkers aware that licensees can refuse them entry or ask them to leave if they are drunk, violent or disorderly on their premises.
Failure to leave can result in the on-the-spot fine.
Deputy Commissioner Ken Lay also said yesterday that more than 100 specialist road police, covering five areas, would target Victoria's most dangerous
highways.
Issued by The Age.com.au December 10th 2009
http://www.theage.com.au/national/party-safe---or-else-20091210-kkbw.html
Victoria Announces Agreement On Casino Legislation Amendment Bill 2009
he Victorian Government and the Opposition have reached an agreement on the Casino Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 that will see it passed by both houses of Parliament this week, Gaming Minister Tony Robinson said today.
Mr Robinson said he welcomed the agreement on the passage of the Bill, which would more closely align the rate of tax paid by Crown Casino on revenue from its gaming machines with tax rates paid by other venues.
“More closely aligning the tax paid by Crown on its pokie revenue will raise more than $100 million over the next four years for Victorian hospitals and health services,” he said.
“This bill will end an historical anomaly where Crown paid a lower tax rate than other gaming venues in Victoria.
“The tax rate paid by Crown on gaming machine revenue will rise progressively from 22.25 per cent to 32.57 per cent in 2014-15.”
Mr Robinson said the Government agreed to implement a number of additional measures to address problem gambling to secure the passage of the Bill.
“The Opposition asked the Government to increase the problem gambling advertising campaign, boosting it by $1.5 million,” he said.
“The Government has also agreed to provide $2.1 million for further problem gambling research, $1.5 million for the Community Advocate on Gambling and 20 extra trainers to educate gaming venue staff about the signs of problem gambling.”
Mr Robinson said minimum training standards and numbers for casino staff working around fully automated table games will be developed with Crown and the definition of fully automated table game will be clarified.
Extra harm minimisation features will also be introduced on fully automated table games at Crown and there will be no increase of the house advantage by adding 00 to fully automated roulette.
Issued by the Government of Victoria 7th December 2009
http://thegovmonitor.com/civil_society_and_democratic_renewal/victoria-announces-agreement-on-casino-legislation-amendment-bill-2009-18169.html
Mr Robinson said he welcomed the agreement on the passage of the Bill, which would more closely align the rate of tax paid by Crown Casino on revenue from its gaming machines with tax rates paid by other venues.
“More closely aligning the tax paid by Crown on its pokie revenue will raise more than $100 million over the next four years for Victorian hospitals and health services,” he said.
“This bill will end an historical anomaly where Crown paid a lower tax rate than other gaming venues in Victoria.
“The tax rate paid by Crown on gaming machine revenue will rise progressively from 22.25 per cent to 32.57 per cent in 2014-15.”
Mr Robinson said the Government agreed to implement a number of additional measures to address problem gambling to secure the passage of the Bill.
“The Opposition asked the Government to increase the problem gambling advertising campaign, boosting it by $1.5 million,” he said.
“The Government has also agreed to provide $2.1 million for further problem gambling research, $1.5 million for the Community Advocate on Gambling and 20 extra trainers to educate gaming venue staff about the signs of problem gambling.”
Mr Robinson said minimum training standards and numbers for casino staff working around fully automated table games will be developed with Crown and the definition of fully automated table game will be clarified.
Extra harm minimisation features will also be introduced on fully automated table games at Crown and there will be no increase of the house advantage by adding 00 to fully automated roulette.
Issued by the Government of Victoria 7th December 2009
http://thegovmonitor.com/civil_society_and_democratic_renewal/victoria-announces-agreement-on-casino-legislation-amendment-bill-2009-18169.html
Tips to manage the holiday and summer season
Here are some practical tips to help you deal with RSA, intoxicated patrons and ID checking over the holiday and summer season.
Tips on intoxication and RSA
Issue intoxication guidelines to all staff.
Ensure all required signage is prominently displayed.
Brief security and ensure they are appropriately tasked.
Have adequate security on hand, particularly at peak trading times.
Make sure all staff are up to date with responsible service of alcohol (RSA) requirements.
During busy trading times it may be helpful to have RSA hosts.
Check that the venue is operating within any prescribed patron capacity.
(Overcrowding is often a trigger for alcohol-related violence and abuse, and makes it more difficult to practice the responsible service of alcohol.)
Tips on ID checking and functions
Issue ID guidelines to all staff. (OLGR has just released the 2009 edition of the Australian iD Checking Guide.)
Check all ID presented by young people closely – you can display the Under 25 poster to assist with patron cooperation.
Ensure people (and other guests) booking functions at your venue are aware of the responsible drinking laws by giving them information about your minimum standards for patron behaviour, safety and comfort.
Tips on good RSA practices
Provide free food or ensure good quality food is available (particularly early in the night). Food helps slow down the effects of alcohol.
Make sure free drinking water is available all night (and promoted).
The warmer weather increases dehydration and, therefore, patrons can be more affected by alcohol.
Promote alternatives to full-strength alcohol, such as low-alcohol beer and wine, soft drinks, and coffee.
Introduce drink limits after 10pm or midnight, for example, no more than four (or two) drinks per person at one time.
This encourages more frequent visits to the bar and allows staff to assess if patrons are approaching intoxication.
Good practice of RSA also means holding responsible liquor promotions that will not lead to rapid intoxication. (See the Liquor promotion guidelines and the Intoxication guidelines.)
Tips on pre-closing
Have a cool down period before closing.
Turn the lighting up, turn the music down or off (or switch to Christmas carols) and stop serving alcohol 30 or 45 minutes prior to closing the venue and promote water.
Ask people to leave quietly and be considerate of neighbours.
Ensure safe transport options are available (and promoted).
Last of all – enjoy the summer and holidays!
Issued by OLGR NSW December 10th 2009
http://www.olgr.nsw.gov.au/holiday%20tips%202009.asp
Tips on intoxication and RSA
Issue intoxication guidelines to all staff.
Ensure all required signage is prominently displayed.
Brief security and ensure they are appropriately tasked.
Have adequate security on hand, particularly at peak trading times.
Make sure all staff are up to date with responsible service of alcohol (RSA) requirements.
During busy trading times it may be helpful to have RSA hosts.
Check that the venue is operating within any prescribed patron capacity.
(Overcrowding is often a trigger for alcohol-related violence and abuse, and makes it more difficult to practice the responsible service of alcohol.)
Tips on ID checking and functions
Issue ID guidelines to all staff. (OLGR has just released the 2009 edition of the Australian iD Checking Guide.)
Check all ID presented by young people closely – you can display the Under 25 poster to assist with patron cooperation.
Ensure people (and other guests) booking functions at your venue are aware of the responsible drinking laws by giving them information about your minimum standards for patron behaviour, safety and comfort.
Tips on good RSA practices
Provide free food or ensure good quality food is available (particularly early in the night). Food helps slow down the effects of alcohol.
Make sure free drinking water is available all night (and promoted).
The warmer weather increases dehydration and, therefore, patrons can be more affected by alcohol.
Promote alternatives to full-strength alcohol, such as low-alcohol beer and wine, soft drinks, and coffee.
Introduce drink limits after 10pm or midnight, for example, no more than four (or two) drinks per person at one time.
This encourages more frequent visits to the bar and allows staff to assess if patrons are approaching intoxication.
Good practice of RSA also means holding responsible liquor promotions that will not lead to rapid intoxication. (See the Liquor promotion guidelines and the Intoxication guidelines.)
Tips on pre-closing
Have a cool down period before closing.
Turn the lighting up, turn the music down or off (or switch to Christmas carols) and stop serving alcohol 30 or 45 minutes prior to closing the venue and promote water.
Ask people to leave quietly and be considerate of neighbours.
Ensure safe transport options are available (and promoted).
Last of all – enjoy the summer and holidays!
Issued by OLGR NSW December 10th 2009
http://www.olgr.nsw.gov.au/holiday%20tips%202009.asp
Australia's gambling industries : inquiry report / Productivity Commission
The Commission's key findings. Gambling provides enjoyment to most Australians, over 80 per cent of whom gambled in the last year - spending about $11 billion - with 40 per cent gambling regularly. Gambling is a big and rapidly growing business in Australia, with the industries currently accounting for an estimated 1.5 per cent of GIDP, and employing over 100 000 people in more than 7000 businesses throughout the country. The main source of national benefit from the liberalisation of gambling has been the consumer gains from access to a service that gives people enjoyment. Net gains in jobs and economic activity are small when account is taken of the impact on other industries of the diversion of consumer spending to gambling. The principal rationales for regulating the gambling industries any differently than other industries relate to: - promoting consumer protection; -
minimising the potential for criminal and unethical activity; and - reducing the risks and costs of problem gambling. Around 130 000 Australians (about 1 per cent of the adult population) are estimated to have severe problems with their gambling. A further 160 000 adults are estimated to have moderate problems, which may not require 'treatment' but warrant policy concern. Taken together, 'problem gamblers' represent just over 290 000 people, or 2.1 per cent of Australian adults. Problem gamblers comprise 15 per cent of regular (non-lottery) gamblers and account for about $3.5 billion in expenditure annually - about one-third of the gambling industries' market. They lose on average around $12 000 each per year, compared with just under $650 for other gamblers. The prevalence of problem gambling is related to the degree of accessibility of gambling, particularly gaming machines.
The costs include financial and emotional impacts on the gamblers and on others, with on average at least five other people affected to varying degrees. For example: - one in ten said they have contemplated suicide due to gambling; and nearly half those in counselling reported losing time from work or study in the past year due to gambling. The adverse impacts on individuals and the community, help explain the ambivalence of most Australians about the gambling industries, despite their widespread involvement: - around 70 per cent of people surveyed believed that gambling did more harm than good; and 92 per cent did not want to see further expansion of gaming machines. Quantification of the costs and benefits of the gambling industries is hazardous. Uncertainty about key parameters constrained the Commission to providing low and high estimates. For the gambling industries as a whole, estimates of their net contribution to society, ranged from a net loss of $1.2 billion to a net benefit of $4.3 billion.
This masks divergent results for different gambling modes, with lotteries revealing clear net benefits, whereas gaming machines and wagering include the possibility of net losses. Policy approaches for the gambling industries need to be directed at reducing the costs of problem gambling - through harm minimisation and prevention measures - while retaining as much of the benefit to recreational gamblers as possible. The current regulatory environment is deficient. Regulations are complex, fragmented and often inconsistent. This has arisen because of inadequate policy-making processes and strong incentives for governments to derive revenue from the gambling industries. Restrictions on competition have not reduced the accessibility of gambling other than for casino games.
With the possible exception of casinos, current restrictions on competition have little justification. Venue caps on gaming machines are preferable to state-wide caps in helping to moderate the accessibility drivers of problem gambling. However, more targeted consumer protection measures - if implemented - have the potential to be much more effective, with less inconvenience to recreational gamblers. Existing arrangements are inadequate to ensure the informed consent of consumers, or to ameliorate the risks of problem gambling. Particular deficiencies relate to: information about the 'price' and nature of gambling products (especially gaming machines); information about the risks of problem gambling; controls on advertising (which can be inherently misleading); availability of ATMs and credit; and pre-commitment options, including self-exclusion arrangements.
In such areas, self-regulatory approaches are unlikely to be as effective as explicit regulatory requirements. In most cases, regulation can be designed to enhance, rather than restrict consumer choice, by allowing better information and control. Counselling services for problem gamblers serve an essential role, but there is a lack of monitoring and evaluation of different approaches, and funding arrangements in some jurisdictions are too short term. Services, awareness promotion and research activities related to problem gambling are likely to be most effectively funded from earmarked levies on all segments of the gambling industry, with the allocation of funds independently administered. Internet gambling offers the potential for consumer benefits, as well as new risks for problem gambling.
Managed liberalisation - with licensing of sites for probity, consumer protection and taxation - could meet most concerns, although its effectiveness would require the assistance of the Commonwealth Government. On the basis of available information, there is not a strong or unambiguous case for significantly reducing gambling taxes, with the possible exception of lotteries. Any changes would need to be incremental and carefully monitored. The mutuality principle, combined with lack of constraints on gaming machine numbers, appears to be distorting the investment and pricing decisions of some clubs, with impacts on competitors. Of the options for dealing with it, only tax action at the state level appears feasible. Policy decisions on key gambling issues have in many cases lacked access to objective information and independent advice -
including about the likely social and economic impacts - and community consultation has been deficient. An ideal regulatory model would separate clearly the policy-making, control and enforcement functions. The key regulatory control body in each state or territory should have statutory independence and a central role in providing information and policy advice, as well as in administering gambling legislation. It should cover all gambling forms and its principal operating criteria should be consumer protection and the public interest.
Issued by the National Library of Australia December 10th 2009
http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/139746?lookfor=advertiser&offset=48907&max=48963
minimising the potential for criminal and unethical activity; and - reducing the risks and costs of problem gambling. Around 130 000 Australians (about 1 per cent of the adult population) are estimated to have severe problems with their gambling. A further 160 000 adults are estimated to have moderate problems, which may not require 'treatment' but warrant policy concern. Taken together, 'problem gamblers' represent just over 290 000 people, or 2.1 per cent of Australian adults. Problem gamblers comprise 15 per cent of regular (non-lottery) gamblers and account for about $3.5 billion in expenditure annually - about one-third of the gambling industries' market. They lose on average around $12 000 each per year, compared with just under $650 for other gamblers. The prevalence of problem gambling is related to the degree of accessibility of gambling, particularly gaming machines.
The costs include financial and emotional impacts on the gamblers and on others, with on average at least five other people affected to varying degrees. For example: - one in ten said they have contemplated suicide due to gambling; and nearly half those in counselling reported losing time from work or study in the past year due to gambling. The adverse impacts on individuals and the community, help explain the ambivalence of most Australians about the gambling industries, despite their widespread involvement: - around 70 per cent of people surveyed believed that gambling did more harm than good; and 92 per cent did not want to see further expansion of gaming machines. Quantification of the costs and benefits of the gambling industries is hazardous. Uncertainty about key parameters constrained the Commission to providing low and high estimates. For the gambling industries as a whole, estimates of their net contribution to society, ranged from a net loss of $1.2 billion to a net benefit of $4.3 billion.
This masks divergent results for different gambling modes, with lotteries revealing clear net benefits, whereas gaming machines and wagering include the possibility of net losses. Policy approaches for the gambling industries need to be directed at reducing the costs of problem gambling - through harm minimisation and prevention measures - while retaining as much of the benefit to recreational gamblers as possible. The current regulatory environment is deficient. Regulations are complex, fragmented and often inconsistent. This has arisen because of inadequate policy-making processes and strong incentives for governments to derive revenue from the gambling industries. Restrictions on competition have not reduced the accessibility of gambling other than for casino games.
With the possible exception of casinos, current restrictions on competition have little justification. Venue caps on gaming machines are preferable to state-wide caps in helping to moderate the accessibility drivers of problem gambling. However, more targeted consumer protection measures - if implemented - have the potential to be much more effective, with less inconvenience to recreational gamblers. Existing arrangements are inadequate to ensure the informed consent of consumers, or to ameliorate the risks of problem gambling. Particular deficiencies relate to: information about the 'price' and nature of gambling products (especially gaming machines); information about the risks of problem gambling; controls on advertising (which can be inherently misleading); availability of ATMs and credit; and pre-commitment options, including self-exclusion arrangements.
In such areas, self-regulatory approaches are unlikely to be as effective as explicit regulatory requirements. In most cases, regulation can be designed to enhance, rather than restrict consumer choice, by allowing better information and control. Counselling services for problem gamblers serve an essential role, but there is a lack of monitoring and evaluation of different approaches, and funding arrangements in some jurisdictions are too short term. Services, awareness promotion and research activities related to problem gambling are likely to be most effectively funded from earmarked levies on all segments of the gambling industry, with the allocation of funds independently administered. Internet gambling offers the potential for consumer benefits, as well as new risks for problem gambling.
Managed liberalisation - with licensing of sites for probity, consumer protection and taxation - could meet most concerns, although its effectiveness would require the assistance of the Commonwealth Government. On the basis of available information, there is not a strong or unambiguous case for significantly reducing gambling taxes, with the possible exception of lotteries. Any changes would need to be incremental and carefully monitored. The mutuality principle, combined with lack of constraints on gaming machine numbers, appears to be distorting the investment and pricing decisions of some clubs, with impacts on competitors. Of the options for dealing with it, only tax action at the state level appears feasible. Policy decisions on key gambling issues have in many cases lacked access to objective information and independent advice -
including about the likely social and economic impacts - and community consultation has been deficient. An ideal regulatory model would separate clearly the policy-making, control and enforcement functions. The key regulatory control body in each state or territory should have statutory independence and a central role in providing information and policy advice, as well as in administering gambling legislation. It should cover all gambling forms and its principal operating criteria should be consumer protection and the public interest.
Issued by the National Library of Australia December 10th 2009
http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/139746?lookfor=advertiser&offset=48907&max=48963
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
New Executive Director for OLGR NSW
Elizabeth Tydd has been appointed as the new executive director of the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR), within Communities NSW.
Tydd brings extensive regulatory, legal and management skills to the position.
In her current role as assistant commissioner of the Compliance and Legal Group at the Office of Fair Trading, Tydd developed and implemented national best practice in compliance and enforcement.
Tydd has also held the position of deputy chairperson of the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal, the largest tribunal in NSW, for the past seven years.
The appointment follows the retirement of former OLGR commissioner Michael Foggo in July.
Tydd began the role on Monday (Dec 7).
Issued by The Shout 9th December 2009
http://theshout.com.au/2009/12/09/article/New-Executive-Director-for-OLGR/OHXUBKHQUT
Tydd brings extensive regulatory, legal and management skills to the position.
In her current role as assistant commissioner of the Compliance and Legal Group at the Office of Fair Trading, Tydd developed and implemented national best practice in compliance and enforcement.
Tydd has also held the position of deputy chairperson of the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal, the largest tribunal in NSW, for the past seven years.
The appointment follows the retirement of former OLGR commissioner Michael Foggo in July.
Tydd began the role on Monday (Dec 7).
Issued by The Shout 9th December 2009
http://theshout.com.au/2009/12/09/article/New-Executive-Director-for-OLGR/OHXUBKHQUT
Tony Brown pushes anti-alcohol campaign to Maitland
THE coalition of inner-city residents who successfully campaigned to cut Newcastle alcohol-related violence by 30 per cent through earlier closing times has called on Maitland residents and businesses to unite.
The coalition, led by activist Tony Brown, encouraged Maitland residents to use provisions in the Liquor Act that let them lodge disturbance complaints.
After details of two inner-Maitland bashings last month came to light, the city's liquor accord chairman Ralph Ward told The Heraldon Monday some street violence could be blamed on "a gang subculture".
Mr Ward blamed the juvenile justice system for responding to violence from teenaged gang members with sentences that amounted to "a slap on the wrist", and called for changes to the Young Offenders Act to allow harsher penalties for offenders aged 15 to 18.
But Mr Brown said talk of gangs was a smokescreen from pub-owners trying to shift blame.
"[Maitland residents and businesses] are being given the usual Australian Hotels Association-inspired runaround by their local liquor accord, whose first response is to deflect responsibility onto other groups, the latest being youth gangs," he said.
The association's Hunter president Bruce Woods said he was "not too interested in what Tony Brown [had] to say", and said liquor accord chairman Mr Ward was a solicitor with no ties to pubs or clubs and no interest in protecting them from scrutiny.
Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research figures show that assaults in Maitland increased 6 per cent in the past five years.
Of the 433 assaults recorded in Maitland last year, 138 were in public places and 105 in or around licensed premises.
Issued by The Herald 9th December 2009
http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/tony-brown-pushes-antialcohol-campaign-to-maitland/1699640.aspx
The coalition, led by activist Tony Brown, encouraged Maitland residents to use provisions in the Liquor Act that let them lodge disturbance complaints.
After details of two inner-Maitland bashings last month came to light, the city's liquor accord chairman Ralph Ward told The Heraldon Monday some street violence could be blamed on "a gang subculture".
Mr Ward blamed the juvenile justice system for responding to violence from teenaged gang members with sentences that amounted to "a slap on the wrist", and called for changes to the Young Offenders Act to allow harsher penalties for offenders aged 15 to 18.
But Mr Brown said talk of gangs was a smokescreen from pub-owners trying to shift blame.
"[Maitland residents and businesses] are being given the usual Australian Hotels Association-inspired runaround by their local liquor accord, whose first response is to deflect responsibility onto other groups, the latest being youth gangs," he said.
The association's Hunter president Bruce Woods said he was "not too interested in what Tony Brown [had] to say", and said liquor accord chairman Mr Ward was a solicitor with no ties to pubs or clubs and no interest in protecting them from scrutiny.
Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research figures show that assaults in Maitland increased 6 per cent in the past five years.
Of the 433 assaults recorded in Maitland last year, 138 were in public places and 105 in or around licensed premises.
Issued by The Herald 9th December 2009
http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/tony-brown-pushes-antialcohol-campaign-to-maitland/1699640.aspx
Failures loom large 20 years on
QUEENSLAND is a generally more tolerant, less insular place than it was two decades ago when the Goss Labor government was elected.
There have been aberrations in that progression, as the rise of One Nation and its appeal to those disaffected by economic globalisation showed. But Hansonism flamed out for want of genuine fuel: Queenslanders were not bigoted or xenophobic as its agenda suggested they were.
Wayne Goss came to power with high expectations that he would implement an agenda heavy with social policy change but, as with most other aspects of his administration, he hastened slowly. The reforms the Criminal Justice Commission were pushing at the time, including the decriminalisation of prostitution, were ignored or put off.
However, one reform that was quickly introduced was the legalisation of poker machines, which Goss himself nominates now as his biggest regret from his time in government. So he should, not so much for allowing pokies in the first place but for failing to cope with the social ills they produced. Gambling addiction remains a problem that successive Queensland governments have yet to respond to adequately while they become addicted themselves to the tax revenue pokies generate.
In other areas of policy reform, the story is one not so much of unalloyed success but of hesitant progression. Education reform is a case where the reality has failed to match the promise. Year 12 retention rates were about 67 per cent in 1989 and, although static and running behind Victoria, are at about 75 per cent now. But over the same period Queensland's literacy and numeracy rates slipped to distressingly low levels before showing only recent improvement after the Government was embarrassed and cajoled by Canberra into action. For a state that has been mostly under Labor stewardship over the past 20 years, this is little short of scandalous. Premier Anna Bligh is right to put improvements in school attainment at the front and centre of her policy agenda. As the present Labor leader, she has much to make up for.
The Goss government's success in gaining World Heritage listing for Fraser Island was a seminal development but one of its truly lasting legacies was changing public attitudes towards environmental protection. The grand old days of let-it-rip development are hard to live down in a state that had long gained considerable riches by taming the environment. The change in this culture was helped by a series of ministers, starting with Pat Comben and including Molly Robson and Rod Welford, who took the legislative fight up to those powerful interests who had the most to lose once the state started taking its duty to protect the environment seriously. More recently, however, the Government's environment policy has been formulated with at least one eye on the need to gain preferences from Green or green-tinged candidates at election time.
There are two areas - health and indigenous welfare - in which the record of government over the past 20 years has been one of consistent failure and another - child protection - where performance has been mixed at best. The public hospital system's struggle to cope with the ever-increasing demands placed on it is a feature of governments all over the developed world. But the combination of rapid population growth and an unresponsive, hidebound bureaucracy has ensured that the job of tackling Queensland's health woes has become one of managing failure. This is even more acute in the area of indigenous health. The gap between the life expectancy of indigenous and non-indigenous Queenslanders is 18 years, an avoidable tragedy that those in government congratulating themselves this week would do well to contemplate.
Issued by Courier Mail Decmeber 9th 2009
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26436786-13360,00.html
There have been aberrations in that progression, as the rise of One Nation and its appeal to those disaffected by economic globalisation showed. But Hansonism flamed out for want of genuine fuel: Queenslanders were not bigoted or xenophobic as its agenda suggested they were.
Wayne Goss came to power with high expectations that he would implement an agenda heavy with social policy change but, as with most other aspects of his administration, he hastened slowly. The reforms the Criminal Justice Commission were pushing at the time, including the decriminalisation of prostitution, were ignored or put off.
However, one reform that was quickly introduced was the legalisation of poker machines, which Goss himself nominates now as his biggest regret from his time in government. So he should, not so much for allowing pokies in the first place but for failing to cope with the social ills they produced. Gambling addiction remains a problem that successive Queensland governments have yet to respond to adequately while they become addicted themselves to the tax revenue pokies generate.
In other areas of policy reform, the story is one not so much of unalloyed success but of hesitant progression. Education reform is a case where the reality has failed to match the promise. Year 12 retention rates were about 67 per cent in 1989 and, although static and running behind Victoria, are at about 75 per cent now. But over the same period Queensland's literacy and numeracy rates slipped to distressingly low levels before showing only recent improvement after the Government was embarrassed and cajoled by Canberra into action. For a state that has been mostly under Labor stewardship over the past 20 years, this is little short of scandalous. Premier Anna Bligh is right to put improvements in school attainment at the front and centre of her policy agenda. As the present Labor leader, she has much to make up for.
The Goss government's success in gaining World Heritage listing for Fraser Island was a seminal development but one of its truly lasting legacies was changing public attitudes towards environmental protection. The grand old days of let-it-rip development are hard to live down in a state that had long gained considerable riches by taming the environment. The change in this culture was helped by a series of ministers, starting with Pat Comben and including Molly Robson and Rod Welford, who took the legislative fight up to those powerful interests who had the most to lose once the state started taking its duty to protect the environment seriously. More recently, however, the Government's environment policy has been formulated with at least one eye on the need to gain preferences from Green or green-tinged candidates at election time.
There are two areas - health and indigenous welfare - in which the record of government over the past 20 years has been one of consistent failure and another - child protection - where performance has been mixed at best. The public hospital system's struggle to cope with the ever-increasing demands placed on it is a feature of governments all over the developed world. But the combination of rapid population growth and an unresponsive, hidebound bureaucracy has ensured that the job of tackling Queensland's health woes has become one of managing failure. This is even more acute in the area of indigenous health. The gap between the life expectancy of indigenous and non-indigenous Queenslanders is 18 years, an avoidable tragedy that those in government congratulating themselves this week would do well to contemplate.
Issued by Courier Mail Decmeber 9th 2009
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26436786-13360,00.html
Woolies Eyes NLG Pubs, Pokies
Woolworths is the latest major company to be linked to National Leisure and Gaming (NLG) with the giant retailer likely to battle with Tabcorp for the acquisition of the listed pub operator’s pubs and poker machines.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, sources close to the deal believe Woolworths is considering an offer for NLG just weeks after gambling group Tabcorp was revealed to be interested.
NLG operates more than 900 poker machines at 31 pubs in NSW and Queensland, with the NSW pubs likely to be of particular interest to Woolworths.
However, Woolworth’s senior management were left in no doubt as to the feelings of a small but vocal minority of its shareholders who used the group’s recent AGM as a platform to voice their opposition Woolworth’s poker machine operations.
The company presently owns about 11,000 poker machines in 280 pubs and clubs run by subsidiary Australian Leisure and Hospitality (ALH), which Woolworths acquired in 2004.
Woolworths’ chairman, James Strong and CEO Michael Luscombe made it clear at the same AGM that Woolworths was committed to its pub operations and had no intention of reducing its ownership of electronic gaming machines.
NLG shares stood at 3 cents at 3pm today (Dec 9), up from 2.9 cents seven days ago.
Issued by The Shout - December 9th 2009
http://theshout.com.au/2009/12/09/article/Woolies-Eyes-NLG-Pubs-Pokies/PEVEYQNPZD.html
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, sources close to the deal believe Woolworths is considering an offer for NLG just weeks after gambling group Tabcorp was revealed to be interested.
NLG operates more than 900 poker machines at 31 pubs in NSW and Queensland, with the NSW pubs likely to be of particular interest to Woolworths.
However, Woolworth’s senior management were left in no doubt as to the feelings of a small but vocal minority of its shareholders who used the group’s recent AGM as a platform to voice their opposition Woolworth’s poker machine operations.
The company presently owns about 11,000 poker machines in 280 pubs and clubs run by subsidiary Australian Leisure and Hospitality (ALH), which Woolworths acquired in 2004.
Woolworths’ chairman, James Strong and CEO Michael Luscombe made it clear at the same AGM that Woolworths was committed to its pub operations and had no intention of reducing its ownership of electronic gaming machines.
NLG shares stood at 3 cents at 3pm today (Dec 9), up from 2.9 cents seven days ago.
Issued by The Shout - December 9th 2009
http://theshout.com.au/2009/12/09/article/Woolies-Eyes-NLG-Pubs-Pokies/PEVEYQNPZD.html
Woolies heads for duel over pubs and pokies
Dec 08, 2009 (The Sydney Morning Herald - ABIX via COMTEX) -- LRGPF | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- A bidding war has erupted for National Leisure & Gaming (NLG). The pub operator, which is listed on the stock exchange, is about to receive takeover offers from gaming group Tabcorp as well as retailing giant Woolworths, which already owns a chain of pubs with poker machines and attached bottle shops. The total sites count would rise by 36 to 316, with an extra 1,000 gaming machines bringing the number to 12,000. NLG is troubled by its high debt burden.
Issued by Trading Markets 9 December 2009
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2709830/
Issued by Trading Markets 9 December 2009
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2709830/
Australian Gamblers’ Problem With Online Poker
Some months ago Australia toyed with the idea of banning some poker sites as addiction to the game had given rise to socio economic problems. The propaganda was spread by the media which has gone overboard to regard gaming activities to be too addicting. The censure has been due to the reaction of the public ads done by betting sites at a cricketing venue a few months ago.
It has been noted that casino games done online were not suitable to adults who easily get addicted to gambling and they also have negative effect on children. Last year’s gambling population rose to 80% and this caused the natural reaction of some sectors against casino. And most of them played poker and have been affected by addiction. However, some people like James Packer, the son of the late media tycoon Kerry Packer, thinks the media has a misconception of gambling and online casinos.
The reason it is difficult to get rid of poker sites in the Australian system is that any casino game pulls a lot of revenue. The gaming sites are not only having a ball in the land down under but also drawing in much revenue that could top that of other industry.
The tax contributions of casinos have gone up a lot since the application of the latest gaming software and technology, which drew in more players and enthusiasts on board.
Play safe and sound
But the problem in Australia is with problem gamblers and their numbers have gone up in recent years. Out of the total number of gamblers, approximately 15% are said to be problematic, says the productivity commission. About $12 billion each year is lost in the online game of poker due to the presence of the further 15% high risk players. This percentage of players pose danger to the gaming community.
Poker is addictive only if you let it control you and your life. Usually players gamble as if there is no tomorrow. Many become overzealous that they fail to realize they are actually losing more than winning. The ideal way to enjoy poker is to play with no temptations.
Discover how you can stop losing and start winning at the casinos…
Revealed: The mathematically proven roulette system to dramatically increase your odds when playing at online casinos.
To learn the techniques for yourself, watch this free video now: Click here -> http://www.EasyCasinoProfits.com
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/online-gambling-articles/australian-gamblers-problem-with-online-poker-1552429.html
Issued by Wise Gamblers December 7th 2009
http://wisegamblers.net/2009/12/australian-gamblers-problem-with-online-poker/
It has been noted that casino games done online were not suitable to adults who easily get addicted to gambling and they also have negative effect on children. Last year’s gambling population rose to 80% and this caused the natural reaction of some sectors against casino. And most of them played poker and have been affected by addiction. However, some people like James Packer, the son of the late media tycoon Kerry Packer, thinks the media has a misconception of gambling and online casinos.
The reason it is difficult to get rid of poker sites in the Australian system is that any casino game pulls a lot of revenue. The gaming sites are not only having a ball in the land down under but also drawing in much revenue that could top that of other industry.
The tax contributions of casinos have gone up a lot since the application of the latest gaming software and technology, which drew in more players and enthusiasts on board.
Play safe and sound
But the problem in Australia is with problem gamblers and their numbers have gone up in recent years. Out of the total number of gamblers, approximately 15% are said to be problematic, says the productivity commission. About $12 billion each year is lost in the online game of poker due to the presence of the further 15% high risk players. This percentage of players pose danger to the gaming community.
Poker is addictive only if you let it control you and your life. Usually players gamble as if there is no tomorrow. Many become overzealous that they fail to realize they are actually losing more than winning. The ideal way to enjoy poker is to play with no temptations.
Discover how you can stop losing and start winning at the casinos…
Revealed: The mathematically proven roulette system to dramatically increase your odds when playing at online casinos.
To learn the techniques for yourself, watch this free video now: Click here -> http://www.EasyCasinoProfits.com
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/online-gambling-articles/australian-gamblers-problem-with-online-poker-1552429.html
Issued by Wise Gamblers December 7th 2009
http://wisegamblers.net/2009/12/australian-gamblers-problem-with-online-poker/
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