Licensed clubs might have to pay more than $1 billion in additional tax if the federal government adopts recommendations made by the Productivity Commission.
As part of its wide-reaching review of the not-for-profit sector, the commission found tax concessions presently extended to clubs were unfair.
Social and sporting clubs, such as licensed football clubs, that provide member and community services, are treated as not-for-profit for some tax purposes.
They pay less tax on the billions made from poker machines, while income made from members, and in some cases non-members, is tax-free.
In 2009-10 those concessions were worth about $1.3 billion.
The commission said the tax breaks delivered clubs a "significant advantage" over hotels, pubs and entertainment venues, which did not share the same status.
The breaks could not be justified because it was not the best way to deliver community services, as intended by the tax breaks.
The registered clubs movement, representing about 4,500 clubs, disagrees, saying the tax breaks are valid.
Clubs Australia says a minimum of 1.5 per cent of revenue was returned to members through community services.
"Hotels do not return the same social dividends as clubs ... they exist to create profit for their owners," the group's submission to the commission's inquiry said.
The commission acknowledged the point but said it was no argument for providing clubs with substantial tax concessions.
The report is another blow to clubs, which generate more than half of their revenue profits from poker machines.
In a separate report into gambling, the commission urged a crack-down on pokies, including limiting bets to $1, down from $10, and a $20 limit on one machine at a time.
It also suggested a $200 withdrawal limit on cash machines located nearby.
The clubs movement was just one area of the commission's report, which looked at issues affecting the not-for-profit sector, including hospitals.
The report recommended wide-ranging reforms to remove unnecessary costs and burdens faced by the sector.
It said a streamlined regulatory approach was urgently needed.
The not-for-profit sector provided $43 billion, and eight per cent of the nation's employment, in 2006-07.
The federal government will consider changes to clubs' taxation after the Henry tax review and commission's final gambling report is handed down.
"The government will carefully consider the recommendations of all three of these important reports before making any decisions," assistant treasurer Nick Sherry told AAP.
Issued by The Sydney Morning Herald 11th February 2010
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/clubs-could-lose-tax-breaks-20100211-numb.html
Friday, February 12, 2010
Clubs hit jackpot with tax breaks on pokies income
CLUBS are getting an unfair tax advantage on their pokies income, the Productivity Commission has concluded.
In a report on the not-for-profit sector released yesterday, the commission criticised tax concessions on gaming income for clubs, saying they delivered a "considerable benefit" to clubs not available to hotels and other operators.
It found the concessions were a breach of competitive neutrality principles, distortionary and not justified by the argument that clubs re-invest their profits back into local communities.
"While clubs provide valuable community benefits through their support of community activities, the direct contributions fall well short of the concession," the commission found.
In Queensland, the gaming tax for licensed clubs ranges from nil for venues earning up to $9500 a month in poker machine profits to 35.91 per cent for clubs earning more than $1.4 million a month from poker machines.
All hotels pay the 35.91 per cent rate in gaming taxes, as well as a health services levy ranging up to 20 per cent of their gaming profits.
Former NSW treasury official Dr Betty Con Walker – author of the book Casino Clubs NSW: Profits, tax, sport and politics – said that meant many Queensland clubs would be paying less than half the tax of hotels which had the same gaming profits.
"It would be worth millions of dollars and that's money that Queensland taxpayers are foregoing," she said.
While Dr Con Walker also acknowledged that clubs contributed to their local communities, she said that taxpayers would be better off if clubs paid the same taxes as hotels did, allowing the Government to use that money to provide more community services.
But Clubs Queensland CEO Doug Flockhart disputed the suggestion that clubs were contributing less to their communities than the value of their tax concessions, describing it as "bogus".
"The concessional tax rates for community clubs allow them to provide facilities for communities that wouldn't otherwise be available," he said.
"Junior sport would fall over. You wouldn't have $2.4 billion in community assets on the ground. You wouldn't have, as was the case last year, nearly 52 million hours of active participation in sport, because frankly, you just couldn't fund it."
Issued by news.com.au February 12th 2010
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26710064-3102,00.html
In a report on the not-for-profit sector released yesterday, the commission criticised tax concessions on gaming income for clubs, saying they delivered a "considerable benefit" to clubs not available to hotels and other operators.
It found the concessions were a breach of competitive neutrality principles, distortionary and not justified by the argument that clubs re-invest their profits back into local communities.
"While clubs provide valuable community benefits through their support of community activities, the direct contributions fall well short of the concession," the commission found.
In Queensland, the gaming tax for licensed clubs ranges from nil for venues earning up to $9500 a month in poker machine profits to 35.91 per cent for clubs earning more than $1.4 million a month from poker machines.
All hotels pay the 35.91 per cent rate in gaming taxes, as well as a health services levy ranging up to 20 per cent of their gaming profits.
Former NSW treasury official Dr Betty Con Walker – author of the book Casino Clubs NSW: Profits, tax, sport and politics – said that meant many Queensland clubs would be paying less than half the tax of hotels which had the same gaming profits.
"It would be worth millions of dollars and that's money that Queensland taxpayers are foregoing," she said.
While Dr Con Walker also acknowledged that clubs contributed to their local communities, she said that taxpayers would be better off if clubs paid the same taxes as hotels did, allowing the Government to use that money to provide more community services.
But Clubs Queensland CEO Doug Flockhart disputed the suggestion that clubs were contributing less to their communities than the value of their tax concessions, describing it as "bogus".
"The concessional tax rates for community clubs allow them to provide facilities for communities that wouldn't otherwise be available," he said.
"Junior sport would fall over. You wouldn't have $2.4 billion in community assets on the ground. You wouldn't have, as was the case last year, nearly 52 million hours of active participation in sport, because frankly, you just couldn't fund it."
Issued by news.com.au February 12th 2010
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26710064-3102,00.html
SILENT discos and movie marathons are among Melbourne City Council's latest weapons in combating CBD boozing and violence.
Major Melbourne festivals given funding boost to run late-night shows in bid to curb alcohol-fuelled violence in CBD Evonne Barry From: Herald Sun February 11, 2010 11:57AM 26 commentsIncrease Text SizeDecrease Text SizePrintEmail Share
Add to DiggAdd to del.icio.usAdd to FacebookAdd to KwoffAdd to MyspaceAdd to NewsvineWhat are these?SILENT discos and movie marathons are among Melbourne City Council's latest weapons in combating CBD boozing and violence.
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle this morning announced funding for five of Melbourne's biggest arts festivals to run late-night and early-morning shows.
The International Comedy, Jazz and Film Festivals, as well as the Fringe and Next Wave Festivals, will share $117,000 to extend the hours of their programming.
Do you think extending late-night entertainment will help curb CBD violence?
Tell us below
Cr Doyle said that as well as providing more entertainment, the late shows will make the city safer.
"Melbourne is a 24-hour city, and we want late-night entertainment that goes beyond nightclubs and bars,'' he said.
"We believe if we broaden the scope of the city's late-night offering, a wider audience will visit.
"The flow on effect is that this will help to create a safer city with more people out at night participating in activities that are not solely based on alcohol.''
The trial is part of the City of Melbourne's long-term plan to transform the CBD nightlife, moving the focus from binge-drinking at clubs to more family-friendly entertainment.
The late-night events include:
- Silent Discos, where revellers dance to music heard through individual headphones, not speakers, during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in March and April.
- All-night "video-art'' marathons at Federation Square, during the Next Wave Festival in May.
Issued by Herald Sun February 11th 2010
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/major-melbourne-festivals-given-funding-boost-to-run-late-night-shows-in-bid-to-curb-alcohol-fuelled-violence-in-cbd/story-e6frf7jo-1225829144547
Add to DiggAdd to del.icio.usAdd to FacebookAdd to KwoffAdd to MyspaceAdd to NewsvineWhat are these?SILENT discos and movie marathons are among Melbourne City Council's latest weapons in combating CBD boozing and violence.
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle this morning announced funding for five of Melbourne's biggest arts festivals to run late-night and early-morning shows.
The International Comedy, Jazz and Film Festivals, as well as the Fringe and Next Wave Festivals, will share $117,000 to extend the hours of their programming.
Do you think extending late-night entertainment will help curb CBD violence?
Tell us below
Cr Doyle said that as well as providing more entertainment, the late shows will make the city safer.
"Melbourne is a 24-hour city, and we want late-night entertainment that goes beyond nightclubs and bars,'' he said.
"We believe if we broaden the scope of the city's late-night offering, a wider audience will visit.
"The flow on effect is that this will help to create a safer city with more people out at night participating in activities that are not solely based on alcohol.''
The trial is part of the City of Melbourne's long-term plan to transform the CBD nightlife, moving the focus from binge-drinking at clubs to more family-friendly entertainment.
The late-night events include:
- Silent Discos, where revellers dance to music heard through individual headphones, not speakers, during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in March and April.
- All-night "video-art'' marathons at Federation Square, during the Next Wave Festival in May.
Issued by Herald Sun February 11th 2010
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/major-melbourne-festivals-given-funding-boost-to-run-late-night-shows-in-bid-to-curb-alcohol-fuelled-violence-in-cbd/story-e6frf7jo-1225829144547
Shots banned as Accord cracks down on liquor louts in Bendigo
HIGH-ALCOHOL shots have been banned from Bendigo’s late-night venues in a bid to banish drunken louts.
The Bendigo Liquor Accord yesterday voted to enforce the ban after 2am.
All-you-can-drink promotions have also been reined in after several Bendigo venues continued to hold events that violated State Government legislation. Patrons pay a set amount to drink unlimited alcohol at the events.
Star Bar and Pugg Mahones owner Andrew Lethlean said the bans were not necessarily a precursor to tighter restrictions in the CBD.
But he said if licensees did not responsibly serve alcohol then tougher measures may be implemented.
“It’s just making people a bit more responsible for what they’re serving,” Mr Lethlean said.
“I don’t think 2am will make a huge difference, but it’s a good step.
“The hardest part of all this is it doesn’t really matter if people are having shots at 9, 10 or 11 o’clock, it’s comes down to people serving them responsibly.”
Mr Lethlean said licensees had urged the liquor accord - which also includes police and community members - to consider tighter regulations on businesses that sold takeaway liquor.
“Our main argument is that we can’t know what these people have been getting up to at home,” he said.
“We’re the ones held responsible for people, and there’s no way of telling how much they’ve had to drink before they come into town.
``We say we’re actually the safest place people can have a drink at, because there’s security, it’s a controlled environment and it’s supervised.”
Attorney-General Rob Hulls said shortly before the liquor accord confirmed the ban that the State Government was committed to removing the scourge of anti-social behaviour from the streets.
Mr Hulls was in Bendigo to announce funding for several racing initiatives as part of his role as Racing Minister.
“We have to get the message out there that it’s not smart, it’s not clever, to get drunk and assault people,” Mr Hulls said.
“If you respect yourself, and you respect your neighbours and respect your community, you don’t go out and get drunk and start assaulting people.
“I certainly welcome the accord that has been placed here in Bendigo . . . and I think Bendigo is taking a lead in relation to trying to curb alcohol-fuelled violence and the accord that’s been struck, I think, is a good one.
“What I support is local communities working together on local solutions.
“When the community works together with law enforcement agencies innovative solutions can occur.”
Issued by Bendigo Advertiser 12th February 2010
http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/shots-banned-as-accord-cracks-down-on-liquor-louts-in-bendigo/1748947.aspx
The Bendigo Liquor Accord yesterday voted to enforce the ban after 2am.
All-you-can-drink promotions have also been reined in after several Bendigo venues continued to hold events that violated State Government legislation. Patrons pay a set amount to drink unlimited alcohol at the events.
Star Bar and Pugg Mahones owner Andrew Lethlean said the bans were not necessarily a precursor to tighter restrictions in the CBD.
But he said if licensees did not responsibly serve alcohol then tougher measures may be implemented.
“It’s just making people a bit more responsible for what they’re serving,” Mr Lethlean said.
“I don’t think 2am will make a huge difference, but it’s a good step.
“The hardest part of all this is it doesn’t really matter if people are having shots at 9, 10 or 11 o’clock, it’s comes down to people serving them responsibly.”
Mr Lethlean said licensees had urged the liquor accord - which also includes police and community members - to consider tighter regulations on businesses that sold takeaway liquor.
“Our main argument is that we can’t know what these people have been getting up to at home,” he said.
“We’re the ones held responsible for people, and there’s no way of telling how much they’ve had to drink before they come into town.
``We say we’re actually the safest place people can have a drink at, because there’s security, it’s a controlled environment and it’s supervised.”
Attorney-General Rob Hulls said shortly before the liquor accord confirmed the ban that the State Government was committed to removing the scourge of anti-social behaviour from the streets.
Mr Hulls was in Bendigo to announce funding for several racing initiatives as part of his role as Racing Minister.
“We have to get the message out there that it’s not smart, it’s not clever, to get drunk and assault people,” Mr Hulls said.
“If you respect yourself, and you respect your neighbours and respect your community, you don’t go out and get drunk and start assaulting people.
“I certainly welcome the accord that has been placed here in Bendigo . . . and I think Bendigo is taking a lead in relation to trying to curb alcohol-fuelled violence and the accord that’s been struck, I think, is a good one.
“What I support is local communities working together on local solutions.
“When the community works together with law enforcement agencies innovative solutions can occur.”
Issued by Bendigo Advertiser 12th February 2010
http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/shots-banned-as-accord-cracks-down-on-liquor-louts-in-bendigo/1748947.aspx
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Fair Work to visit 10,000 businesses in NSW
Businesses need to be aware that the new Fair Work IR system is here NOW, and the law requires businesses to comply with all their new obligations under the system.
Fair Work Inspectors will visit over 10,000 small businesses in NSW this year.
"Ignorance is no excuse" said Fair Work Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson, "but we recognise that in order to comply, we must help employers understand the law and the obligations it imposes on them".
If a business is not already complying with the new laws, they may be at risk of disruptive, time-costly interaction with the Fair Work Ombudsman, should they visit.
Employers will have the chance to voluntarily rectify any non-compliance issues, however if businesses do not cooperate they could be prosecuted.
For example
In an upcoming case in Northern NSW, the Fair Work Ombudsman has launched a prosecution against the operators of a motel for allegedly failing to provide inspectors with staff employment records.
The business and the company director-manager are alleged to have committed two breaches of the workplace laws.
The maximum penalty per breach is $33,000 for the company and $6,000 for the company-director.
Update - recent Ombudsman campaigns
The Ombudsman also recently audited 86 hair and beauty salons across NSW and the ACT, and found that 39% were non-compliant, including breaches relating to payslips, time-and-wages records and monetary contraventions.
Three salons were found to have underpaid 11 staff more than $86,000
Recent reimbursements
In December, a large hospitality group in Sydney was ordered to back pay staff after an investigation revealed they had been underpaying staff.
The company signed its employees to workplace agreements in 2007 which paid slightly above the minimum hourly rate at that time - but which did not provide for future increases.
The oversight resulted in the workers being paid less than the minimum hourly rate after minimum pay rates rose on October 1 2007. The largest underpayment of a single worker was $3,642 and the campaign ultimately recouped $1.1 million for 3,863 employees.
Even if a business has made a genuine mistake and does not receive a financial penalty, the cost to rectify the situation could be high.
NSW Business Chamber specialises in workplace relations, HR and industrial matters, and can provide sound, trusted workplace advice for employers, to help businesses comply with the new laws, and prevent potentially costly oversights.
Call 13 26 96
Issued by NSW Business Chamber 3rd February 2010
http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe8213767263027b73&m=fef91d70726501&ls=fe0a15747564047b741c7175&l=fef616747c650d&s=fe2b117374660179721d70&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe5a1c767467007c7d12&r=0
Fair Work Inspectors will visit over 10,000 small businesses in NSW this year.
"Ignorance is no excuse" said Fair Work Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson, "but we recognise that in order to comply, we must help employers understand the law and the obligations it imposes on them".
If a business is not already complying with the new laws, they may be at risk of disruptive, time-costly interaction with the Fair Work Ombudsman, should they visit.
Employers will have the chance to voluntarily rectify any non-compliance issues, however if businesses do not cooperate they could be prosecuted.
For example
In an upcoming case in Northern NSW, the Fair Work Ombudsman has launched a prosecution against the operators of a motel for allegedly failing to provide inspectors with staff employment records.
The business and the company director-manager are alleged to have committed two breaches of the workplace laws.
The maximum penalty per breach is $33,000 for the company and $6,000 for the company-director.
Update - recent Ombudsman campaigns
The Ombudsman also recently audited 86 hair and beauty salons across NSW and the ACT, and found that 39% were non-compliant, including breaches relating to payslips, time-and-wages records and monetary contraventions.
Three salons were found to have underpaid 11 staff more than $86,000
Recent reimbursements
In December, a large hospitality group in Sydney was ordered to back pay staff after an investigation revealed they had been underpaying staff.
The company signed its employees to workplace agreements in 2007 which paid slightly above the minimum hourly rate at that time - but which did not provide for future increases.
The oversight resulted in the workers being paid less than the minimum hourly rate after minimum pay rates rose on October 1 2007. The largest underpayment of a single worker was $3,642 and the campaign ultimately recouped $1.1 million for 3,863 employees.
Even if a business has made a genuine mistake and does not receive a financial penalty, the cost to rectify the situation could be high.
NSW Business Chamber specialises in workplace relations, HR and industrial matters, and can provide sound, trusted workplace advice for employers, to help businesses comply with the new laws, and prevent potentially costly oversights.
Call 13 26 96
Issued by NSW Business Chamber 3rd February 2010
http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe8213767263027b73&m=fef91d70726501&ls=fe0a15747564047b741c7175&l=fef616747c650d&s=fe2b117374660179721d70&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe5a1c767467007c7d12&r=0
Unis welcome move but private colleges angry
A LONG-ANTICIPATED shake-up of the skilled migration system has split the $16.5 billion international education industry, with private colleges warning of catastrophe and universities praising the priority that the smartest will receive for permanent residency.
The Minister for Immigration, Chris Evans, yesterday announced an overhaul of a system that had virtually guaranteed permanent residency to foreign students of certain trade courses.
Under the existing system the number of foreign students studying in Australia reached 580,000 last year, an increase of 95 per cent over five years.
The changes will streamline the list of jobs and areas of study used to select migrants, with a more targeted list to be implemented by July.
Priority will be given to skilled migrants who have a job lined up with an Australian employer, and potential new Australians will need to have better English language skills. Some 20,000 prospective migrants who lodged applications before September 2007 will have these cancelled and their fees refunded at a cost of about $14 million.
The government's decision to dump 20,000 visa applications received widespread coverage in the Indian media yesterday.
An agent in New Delhi, Inder Panjwani, said the decision had shattered the hopes of many and he warned of ''repercussions''.
''Some applicants have sold their houses and closed their businesses in anticipation,'' he said. ''This is a major setback.''
Another agent in Delhi, Bubbly Johar, said the visa changes could stoke further resentment following recent attacks on Indian students. ''It will add to frustration with Australia,'' he said. ''The repercussions will be bad here.''
Senator Evans said the changes would make ''a permanent difference so that Australia is able to choose who migrates to this country, based on whether they are going to make a contribution. If they don't have the English language skills, don't have the trade skills and can't get a job, then really, they shouldn't be eligible for permanent residency.''
The Herald has highlighted widespread rorting of the visa system, including private colleges charging students fees of more than $20,000 a year to do courses that cost Australian students only hundreds of dollars.
Senator Evans said the ''perverse'' points system rating a hospitality or hairdressing graduate from an Australian college above a Rhodes scholar would be reviewed.
Yesterday, tutors in private colleges teetering on collapse said they feared for their jobs. One hairdressing college in Sydney said enrolments for a $25,000 course could decline by half.
''There's going to be a catastrophic effect on the employment of Australian workers,'' a college spokesman said. Universities Australia said the changes would encourage the migration of highly qualified people and reduce their waiting times. The migration reforms would encourage the best and brightest, the group's chief executive, Dr Glenn Withers, said.
The deputy vice-chancellor of Macquarie University, Caroline Trotman, welcomed the changes.
''The reputation of universities overseas was damaged by association with the shonky operators in the vocational sector,'' Ms Trotman said.
But in Parliament, the policy was attacked by the opposition immigration spokesman, Scott Morrison. "The government is playing musical chairs with skilled migration,'' he said. He called on the government to commit to the same proportion of skilled workers in Australia's annual intake of migrants.
Issued by The Sydney Morning Herald 9th February 2010
http://www.smh.com.au/national/unis-welcome-move-but-private-colleges-angry-20100208-nnbq.html
The Minister for Immigration, Chris Evans, yesterday announced an overhaul of a system that had virtually guaranteed permanent residency to foreign students of certain trade courses.
Under the existing system the number of foreign students studying in Australia reached 580,000 last year, an increase of 95 per cent over five years.
The changes will streamline the list of jobs and areas of study used to select migrants, with a more targeted list to be implemented by July.
Priority will be given to skilled migrants who have a job lined up with an Australian employer, and potential new Australians will need to have better English language skills. Some 20,000 prospective migrants who lodged applications before September 2007 will have these cancelled and their fees refunded at a cost of about $14 million.
The government's decision to dump 20,000 visa applications received widespread coverage in the Indian media yesterday.
An agent in New Delhi, Inder Panjwani, said the decision had shattered the hopes of many and he warned of ''repercussions''.
''Some applicants have sold their houses and closed their businesses in anticipation,'' he said. ''This is a major setback.''
Another agent in Delhi, Bubbly Johar, said the visa changes could stoke further resentment following recent attacks on Indian students. ''It will add to frustration with Australia,'' he said. ''The repercussions will be bad here.''
Senator Evans said the changes would make ''a permanent difference so that Australia is able to choose who migrates to this country, based on whether they are going to make a contribution. If they don't have the English language skills, don't have the trade skills and can't get a job, then really, they shouldn't be eligible for permanent residency.''
The Herald has highlighted widespread rorting of the visa system, including private colleges charging students fees of more than $20,000 a year to do courses that cost Australian students only hundreds of dollars.
Senator Evans said the ''perverse'' points system rating a hospitality or hairdressing graduate from an Australian college above a Rhodes scholar would be reviewed.
Yesterday, tutors in private colleges teetering on collapse said they feared for their jobs. One hairdressing college in Sydney said enrolments for a $25,000 course could decline by half.
''There's going to be a catastrophic effect on the employment of Australian workers,'' a college spokesman said. Universities Australia said the changes would encourage the migration of highly qualified people and reduce their waiting times. The migration reforms would encourage the best and brightest, the group's chief executive, Dr Glenn Withers, said.
The deputy vice-chancellor of Macquarie University, Caroline Trotman, welcomed the changes.
''The reputation of universities overseas was damaged by association with the shonky operators in the vocational sector,'' Ms Trotman said.
But in Parliament, the policy was attacked by the opposition immigration spokesman, Scott Morrison. "The government is playing musical chairs with skilled migration,'' he said. He called on the government to commit to the same proportion of skilled workers in Australia's annual intake of migrants.
Issued by The Sydney Morning Herald 9th February 2010
http://www.smh.com.au/national/unis-welcome-move-but-private-colleges-angry-20100208-nnbq.html
Pokies death threat
I T sounds a long shot but a Productivity Commission report this month may spell the end of poker machine gambling dominance in Australia.
A gambling revolution will become a bushfire once federal laws approve online betting after an event has started.
Betting on the gallops with 100m to go, picking the next scorer at the AFL or NRL or when an ace will be belted at the tennis will be punters' next serve. Instant sports betting 'in the run' via the net has all sorts of possibilities, say bookies.
Not to mention the fortunes to be made for online betting companies from the cheaper costs using the internet. It's all about shifting punters from high-maintenance pubs and TABs to the lounge room TV remote to create millions of dollars in operational savings.
Pokie players squander two-thirds of the $18 billion lost in gambling in Australia each year. Even worse, up to 40 per cent of the $12 billion splashed on poker machines annually is estimated to come from problem gamblers.
The internet and high-tech phone pads will ensure that the gambling revolution becomes a sure thing. Even voice conversations on our new mobiles will be too slow.
With the pokie addicts growing older, machine turnover is sliding. Overseas corporate betting firms are lining up for licences to cash in if the instant interactive betting is approved by the Rudd Government later in the year.
Some financial analysts blame the end of the Federal Government bonuses and stimulus packages for the sagging poker machine turnover. Some publicans question if the poker machine era has peaked.
Queensland pokies were down 10 per cent in December.
One Queensland hotelier who outlayed $5 million for the maximum 40 machines in a new tavern near Gold Coast recently conceded that pokies' trade in some pubs around the state had dropped 20 per cent.
The total number of poker machines tinkling in Queensland is 45,768, almost 2000 less than the government maximum set in 2008. The number of poker machines in Victoria is capped at 27,500 and banning Tasmanian poker machines, Western Australian-style, is an election proposal from Greens.
Pokies remain lucrative with some Gold Coast pubs clearing $2500 from the machines even on slower days of the week.
In addition to an ageing clientele, governments have forced all sorts of pokies' restrictions including bans or limits on cash access including ATMs, bans on smoking in pokies areas, machine feeding limited to $5, $10 and $20 notes, shorter hours for pokies play and caps on the number of machines.
The Productivity Commission will seek even more in their next submission -- aimed at reducing the amount pokie fans can lose per hour.
"Lowering the intensity of play," said PC chairman Gary Banks.
Not to mention offering problem gamblers better protection from on-line betting than offered by overseas internet sites.
Betfair, the British head-to-head wagering company seeking a low-cost tax deal in Australia, estimates $300 million a year in Australian gambling leaks overseas.
Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser confirmed to The Bulletin that the downturn in pokies had forced him to revise gaming machine tax receipts from his original forecast of $572 million to $550 million for the 2009-10 financial year. The national rakeoff tops $4 billion.
In his early days as Treasurer Mr Fraser used to joke that if he had to balance the books without pokies he would somehow find a way. Not a joke any more. Mr Fraser recently halved the government tax rate on wagering on dogs and horses in Queensland to safeguard racecourse facilities.
The railways' fire sale may take on greater importance if the Queensland Treasury cannot work how to grab a fresh cut of the tax action from the gambling revolution. Or 'Heavy Kevvie' beats Mr Fraser to the punch.
The Commission's final report into gambling reform and poker machine dominance will be handed over in Canberra on February 26. Once it is tabled, the scramble for the internet/interactive betting dollar will be on for young and old.
The PC message is blunt: it is inconsistent that punters can bet 'in play' via the phone but not online.
Australians already bet illegally on-line with overseas casinos and betting agencies. Legal interactive betting in Queensland on races, sports and lotteries is restricted to UNiTAB and the Golden Casket lotteries office.
UNiTAB, which operates in Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australia, also has a poker machine network as part of the Melbourne-based Tatts group. The Victorian-based Tabcorp, which took over the New South Wales TAB in 2004, is in the poker machine business as well. But the companies' licence to operate poker machines in Victoria and that state's TABs expires in 2012. Tabcorp also operates three Queensland casinos, including the Gold Coast's, plus Star City casino in Sydney.
Speculation about a merger/takeover involving Tabcorp and Tatts/UNiTAB is on hold pending the PC report and a decision from the Rudd Government on the Interactive Gambling Act.
Anti-gambling crusader the Rev Tim Costello is urging caution ahead of the gambling revolution.
"With online gambling it's now possible to lose your home without ever actually having to leave it," he said.
Issued by goldcoast.com.au February 11th 2010
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2010/02/11/187335_peter-cameron-opinion.html
A gambling revolution will become a bushfire once federal laws approve online betting after an event has started.
Betting on the gallops with 100m to go, picking the next scorer at the AFL or NRL or when an ace will be belted at the tennis will be punters' next serve. Instant sports betting 'in the run' via the net has all sorts of possibilities, say bookies.
Not to mention the fortunes to be made for online betting companies from the cheaper costs using the internet. It's all about shifting punters from high-maintenance pubs and TABs to the lounge room TV remote to create millions of dollars in operational savings.
Pokie players squander two-thirds of the $18 billion lost in gambling in Australia each year. Even worse, up to 40 per cent of the $12 billion splashed on poker machines annually is estimated to come from problem gamblers.
The internet and high-tech phone pads will ensure that the gambling revolution becomes a sure thing. Even voice conversations on our new mobiles will be too slow.
With the pokie addicts growing older, machine turnover is sliding. Overseas corporate betting firms are lining up for licences to cash in if the instant interactive betting is approved by the Rudd Government later in the year.
Some financial analysts blame the end of the Federal Government bonuses and stimulus packages for the sagging poker machine turnover. Some publicans question if the poker machine era has peaked.
Queensland pokies were down 10 per cent in December.
One Queensland hotelier who outlayed $5 million for the maximum 40 machines in a new tavern near Gold Coast recently conceded that pokies' trade in some pubs around the state had dropped 20 per cent.
The total number of poker machines tinkling in Queensland is 45,768, almost 2000 less than the government maximum set in 2008. The number of poker machines in Victoria is capped at 27,500 and banning Tasmanian poker machines, Western Australian-style, is an election proposal from Greens.
Pokies remain lucrative with some Gold Coast pubs clearing $2500 from the machines even on slower days of the week.
In addition to an ageing clientele, governments have forced all sorts of pokies' restrictions including bans or limits on cash access including ATMs, bans on smoking in pokies areas, machine feeding limited to $5, $10 and $20 notes, shorter hours for pokies play and caps on the number of machines.
The Productivity Commission will seek even more in their next submission -- aimed at reducing the amount pokie fans can lose per hour.
"Lowering the intensity of play," said PC chairman Gary Banks.
Not to mention offering problem gamblers better protection from on-line betting than offered by overseas internet sites.
Betfair, the British head-to-head wagering company seeking a low-cost tax deal in Australia, estimates $300 million a year in Australian gambling leaks overseas.
Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser confirmed to The Bulletin that the downturn in pokies had forced him to revise gaming machine tax receipts from his original forecast of $572 million to $550 million for the 2009-10 financial year. The national rakeoff tops $4 billion.
In his early days as Treasurer Mr Fraser used to joke that if he had to balance the books without pokies he would somehow find a way. Not a joke any more. Mr Fraser recently halved the government tax rate on wagering on dogs and horses in Queensland to safeguard racecourse facilities.
The railways' fire sale may take on greater importance if the Queensland Treasury cannot work how to grab a fresh cut of the tax action from the gambling revolution. Or 'Heavy Kevvie' beats Mr Fraser to the punch.
The Commission's final report into gambling reform and poker machine dominance will be handed over in Canberra on February 26. Once it is tabled, the scramble for the internet/interactive betting dollar will be on for young and old.
The PC message is blunt: it is inconsistent that punters can bet 'in play' via the phone but not online.
Australians already bet illegally on-line with overseas casinos and betting agencies. Legal interactive betting in Queensland on races, sports and lotteries is restricted to UNiTAB and the Golden Casket lotteries office.
UNiTAB, which operates in Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australia, also has a poker machine network as part of the Melbourne-based Tatts group. The Victorian-based Tabcorp, which took over the New South Wales TAB in 2004, is in the poker machine business as well. But the companies' licence to operate poker machines in Victoria and that state's TABs expires in 2012. Tabcorp also operates three Queensland casinos, including the Gold Coast's, plus Star City casino in Sydney.
Speculation about a merger/takeover involving Tabcorp and Tatts/UNiTAB is on hold pending the PC report and a decision from the Rudd Government on the Interactive Gambling Act.
Anti-gambling crusader the Rev Tim Costello is urging caution ahead of the gambling revolution.
"With online gambling it's now possible to lose your home without ever actually having to leave it," he said.
Issued by goldcoast.com.au February 11th 2010
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2010/02/11/187335_peter-cameron-opinion.html
Workers fined $115,000 over bullying of cafe waitress
Four men responsible for the relentless bullying of a teenage waitress - who later killed herself - were today convicted and fined a total of $115,000.
MAP Foundation, the company that runs Cafe Vamp in Hawthorn, was convicted and fined $220,000 after it and the four defendants pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates Court to failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of persons.
The charges were issued by WorkSafe Victoria.
Magistrate Peter Lauritsen ordered cafe owner Marc Luis Da Cruz, 43, manager Nicholas Smallwood, 26, Rhys MacAlpine, 28, and Gabriel Toomey, 23, and MAP Foundation to pay a total of $335,000.
Mr Lauritsen, who described the atmosphere at the cafe as almost ‘‘poisonous’’, said the bullying of Brodie Panlock, 19, was ‘‘persistent and vicious’’.
He said the acts of the defendants carried a high risk of serious injury and their culpability was far too significant to warrant non-convictions.
Mr Lauritsen accepted their pleas of guilty exhibited remorse and the penalties would be discounted because of them.
A coroner last year implicated MacAlpine and Da Cruz, his company and two other former employees in the physical and emotional bullying of Ms Panlock at Cafe Vamp between 2005 and 2006.
Coroner Peter White found she was treated in an "extremely aggressive and intimidating" manner at the Glenferrie Road business.
On the evidence of a former workmate, Mr White described Smallwood and MacAlpine as "relentless in their efforts to demean her".
Ms Panlock, described at the inquest by a co-worker as chirpy and compassionate, killed herself in September 2006.
Outside the court, Ms Panlock’s mother Rae, who had been unaware of the bullying, described her daughter as a ‘‘beautiful girl who was full of compassion’’.
‘‘She was my little ray of sunshine, a very pretty girl, and the things that they said about her ... What can you say? It just breaks your heart.
‘‘As far as I’m concerned they drove her to the edge and they pushed her over - as far as I’m concerned they should be in jail.’’
Ms Panlock’s father Damien said the law should be changed to include a custodial sentence.
‘‘Change the law,’’ he told reporters.
The acting executive director of WorkSafe Victoria, Stan Krpan, said the sentences send a clear message to the community that workplace bullying should not be tolerated.
‘‘The offending in this case was of the most serious nature, the most serious category of offending,’’ Mr Krpan said.
‘‘The culpability was high, the culture at this workplace was vicious and was not acceptable.’’
Issued by The Age February 8th 2010
http://www.theage.com.au/national/workers-fined-115000-over-bullying-of-cafe-waitress-20100208-nlrj.html
Worksafe Victoria Guidelines to preventing and responding to workplace bullying
http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/f61387004071f2b98ca4dee1fb554c40/WorkSafe+bullying+at+work_web.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
MAP Foundation, the company that runs Cafe Vamp in Hawthorn, was convicted and fined $220,000 after it and the four defendants pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates Court to failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of persons.
The charges were issued by WorkSafe Victoria.
Magistrate Peter Lauritsen ordered cafe owner Marc Luis Da Cruz, 43, manager Nicholas Smallwood, 26, Rhys MacAlpine, 28, and Gabriel Toomey, 23, and MAP Foundation to pay a total of $335,000.
Mr Lauritsen, who described the atmosphere at the cafe as almost ‘‘poisonous’’, said the bullying of Brodie Panlock, 19, was ‘‘persistent and vicious’’.
He said the acts of the defendants carried a high risk of serious injury and their culpability was far too significant to warrant non-convictions.
Mr Lauritsen accepted their pleas of guilty exhibited remorse and the penalties would be discounted because of them.
A coroner last year implicated MacAlpine and Da Cruz, his company and two other former employees in the physical and emotional bullying of Ms Panlock at Cafe Vamp between 2005 and 2006.
Coroner Peter White found she was treated in an "extremely aggressive and intimidating" manner at the Glenferrie Road business.
On the evidence of a former workmate, Mr White described Smallwood and MacAlpine as "relentless in their efforts to demean her".
Ms Panlock, described at the inquest by a co-worker as chirpy and compassionate, killed herself in September 2006.
Outside the court, Ms Panlock’s mother Rae, who had been unaware of the bullying, described her daughter as a ‘‘beautiful girl who was full of compassion’’.
‘‘She was my little ray of sunshine, a very pretty girl, and the things that they said about her ... What can you say? It just breaks your heart.
‘‘As far as I’m concerned they drove her to the edge and they pushed her over - as far as I’m concerned they should be in jail.’’
Ms Panlock’s father Damien said the law should be changed to include a custodial sentence.
‘‘Change the law,’’ he told reporters.
The acting executive director of WorkSafe Victoria, Stan Krpan, said the sentences send a clear message to the community that workplace bullying should not be tolerated.
‘‘The offending in this case was of the most serious nature, the most serious category of offending,’’ Mr Krpan said.
‘‘The culpability was high, the culture at this workplace was vicious and was not acceptable.’’
Issued by The Age February 8th 2010
http://www.theage.com.au/national/workers-fined-115000-over-bullying-of-cafe-waitress-20100208-nlrj.html
Worksafe Victoria Guidelines to preventing and responding to workplace bullying
http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/f61387004071f2b98ca4dee1fb554c40/WorkSafe+bullying+at+work_web.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Walking the thin red line
The Brumby government's tightening of liquor-licensing laws continues to snare unsuspecting victims, writes Jeni Port.
LAST month, Melbourne's vibrant music scene was placed on the endangered list.
Now, Victorian wineries fear the state's thriving wine-tourism industry is in similar peril.
Liquor-licensing changes introduced on January 1 will affect wine producers, particularly small makers — the backbone of hundreds of farmers' markets, craft markets and community festivals held throughout the state each year.
The increase in the cost of a temporary limited licence from $27.70 to $90.50 could see small makers who go to as many as 30 or more markets and festivals a year, including fundraising events at school fetes, paying thousands of dollars in licence fees.
Wine producer Karin Kuusk, of Sisely Estate at Woori Yallock, attends between 70 and 80 markets a year and will now pay $3000 a year in licence fees. She says she knows of producers who go to twice as many markets as she does. And should they also attend a major wine and food festival, one with more than 5000 patrons, they could be paying as much as $778.60.
Suddenly, selling your wine through the growing network of regional markets will become prohibitive for some makers.
Even bed and breakfast owners who give complimentary bottles of locally produced wines to guests are affected. They will be required to obtain a licence and designate and monitor a red line around the area in which the wine is to be consumed.
An army of compliance inspectors will now keep them and all other licence-holders on their toes.
Winemakers say the attempt to quell inner-city alcohol abuse and violence through an increase in licence fees is tarring all licence-holders with the same brush.
"We're the small fish caught in the net along with the big ones," is how Barbara Nixon, president of the Macedon Ranges Vignerons Association, describes the problem.
There's a bitter irony at work here. The state government's increased fees are now a major deterrent to winemakers participating in exactly the kind of events Tourism Minister Tim Holding and Tourism Victoria are trying to promote.
On March 7, the Jindi Harvest of Gippsland will be held at Lardner. The event has been going for six years and showcases 100 exhibitors of food and wine, of which about 30are small winemakers. About 9000people attend.
Organiser Mark Cockerell encouraged exhibitors to get licences before the end of last year, so many weren't affected by the change. However, he has doubts about the roll-up of exhibitors for next year.
Issued by The Age 9th February 2010
http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/epicure/walking-the-thin-red-line/2010/02/08/1265477561145.html
LAST month, Melbourne's vibrant music scene was placed on the endangered list.
Now, Victorian wineries fear the state's thriving wine-tourism industry is in similar peril.
Liquor-licensing changes introduced on January 1 will affect wine producers, particularly small makers — the backbone of hundreds of farmers' markets, craft markets and community festivals held throughout the state each year.
The increase in the cost of a temporary limited licence from $27.70 to $90.50 could see small makers who go to as many as 30 or more markets and festivals a year, including fundraising events at school fetes, paying thousands of dollars in licence fees.
Wine producer Karin Kuusk, of Sisely Estate at Woori Yallock, attends between 70 and 80 markets a year and will now pay $3000 a year in licence fees. She says she knows of producers who go to twice as many markets as she does. And should they also attend a major wine and food festival, one with more than 5000 patrons, they could be paying as much as $778.60.
Suddenly, selling your wine through the growing network of regional markets will become prohibitive for some makers.
Even bed and breakfast owners who give complimentary bottles of locally produced wines to guests are affected. They will be required to obtain a licence and designate and monitor a red line around the area in which the wine is to be consumed.
An army of compliance inspectors will now keep them and all other licence-holders on their toes.
Winemakers say the attempt to quell inner-city alcohol abuse and violence through an increase in licence fees is tarring all licence-holders with the same brush.
"We're the small fish caught in the net along with the big ones," is how Barbara Nixon, president of the Macedon Ranges Vignerons Association, describes the problem.
There's a bitter irony at work here. The state government's increased fees are now a major deterrent to winemakers participating in exactly the kind of events Tourism Minister Tim Holding and Tourism Victoria are trying to promote.
On March 7, the Jindi Harvest of Gippsland will be held at Lardner. The event has been going for six years and showcases 100 exhibitors of food and wine, of which about 30are small winemakers. About 9000people attend.
Organiser Mark Cockerell encouraged exhibitors to get licences before the end of last year, so many weren't affected by the change. However, he has doubts about the roll-up of exhibitors for next year.
Issued by The Age 9th February 2010
http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/epicure/walking-the-thin-red-line/2010/02/08/1265477561145.html
Ballarat pub owners keen to curb violence
JD'S SPORTS Bar co-owner Kate Parry fully supports any move to cut alcohol related violence in Ballarat streets, even one that ends a lucrative practice.
Ms Parry said she would happily ban the sale of shots and ``Jager bombs'' from her bar if the ban was uniformly agreed to and practised by all city venues.
"We only serve shots between the main hours of 9pm and 1am and we certainly don't serve people back-to-back rounds or double shots,'' she said.
"I think as far as licensees are concerned, everyone is keen to find an answer to people being excessively violent, so if all venues agreed that banning shots was what they were going to do, we would be happy to go along with it.
"If everyone's on board, it's worth a trial."
Ms Parry said she would be keen to see the impact of a similar ban in Mildura, announced this week.
"If people are determined to be drunk they will be regardless; I still think the drug culture is the biggest issue and that's out of control of the licensees," she said.
"Shots have been around for a long time and we have been here five years and not seen an increase in people drinking them."
Ms Parry also dismissed the financial impact of not selling the expensive, quickly consumed drinks.
"I don't think we would go broke if we didn't sell Jager bombs," she said.
Irish Murphy's owner and Australian Hotels Association Victorian vice-president Ian Larkin said he believed new restrictions agreed to by the Ballarat Liquor Accord that banned shots after 3am were effective enough, without placing a blanket ban on the practice.
"The problem is, 75 per cent of alcohol is consumed off premises," he said
Issued by The Courier 8th February 2010
http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/pub-owners-keen-to-curb-violence/1745676.aspx
Ms Parry said she would happily ban the sale of shots and ``Jager bombs'' from her bar if the ban was uniformly agreed to and practised by all city venues.
"We only serve shots between the main hours of 9pm and 1am and we certainly don't serve people back-to-back rounds or double shots,'' she said.
"I think as far as licensees are concerned, everyone is keen to find an answer to people being excessively violent, so if all venues agreed that banning shots was what they were going to do, we would be happy to go along with it.
"If everyone's on board, it's worth a trial."
Ms Parry said she would be keen to see the impact of a similar ban in Mildura, announced this week.
"If people are determined to be drunk they will be regardless; I still think the drug culture is the biggest issue and that's out of control of the licensees," she said.
"Shots have been around for a long time and we have been here five years and not seen an increase in people drinking them."
Ms Parry also dismissed the financial impact of not selling the expensive, quickly consumed drinks.
"I don't think we would go broke if we didn't sell Jager bombs," she said.
Irish Murphy's owner and Australian Hotels Association Victorian vice-president Ian Larkin said he believed new restrictions agreed to by the Ballarat Liquor Accord that banned shots after 3am were effective enough, without placing a blanket ban on the practice.
"The problem is, 75 per cent of alcohol is consumed off premises," he said
Issued by The Courier 8th February 2010
http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/pub-owners-keen-to-curb-violence/1745676.aspx
Clubs call for public transport boost
PROVIDING free public transport for people leaving clubs late at night could help prevent alcohol-related violence, an inquiry has heard.
A Queensland parliamentary committee is on Friday taking evidence in its inquiry into ways to tackle alcohol-related violence.
Clubs Queensland chief executive Doug Flockhart said a common sense approach was needed to stem violence, not new regulations and laws.
Mr Flockhart said governments and councils needed to treat each night of operation in entertainment precincts as a special event.
He said special events such as football matches involved free transport and other amenities.
"Complimentary transport solutions at exit times and adequate amenities in the vicinity of entertainment venues would go a long way toward improving public safety," Mr Flockhart said.
"Safely and efficiently moving people on are matters that are taken into account for a Broncos match or Riverfire, yet the large crowds that are congregating in places like the Valley, or Cavill Avenue on the Gold Coast, are largely ignored."
He said many community clubs were struggling financially and would be burdened by any new regulation.
The inquiry continues.
Issued by The Chronicle 5th February 2010
http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2010/02/05/clubs-call-for-public-transport-boost/
A Queensland parliamentary committee is on Friday taking evidence in its inquiry into ways to tackle alcohol-related violence.
Clubs Queensland chief executive Doug Flockhart said a common sense approach was needed to stem violence, not new regulations and laws.
Mr Flockhart said governments and councils needed to treat each night of operation in entertainment precincts as a special event.
He said special events such as football matches involved free transport and other amenities.
"Complimentary transport solutions at exit times and adequate amenities in the vicinity of entertainment venues would go a long way toward improving public safety," Mr Flockhart said.
"Safely and efficiently moving people on are matters that are taken into account for a Broncos match or Riverfire, yet the large crowds that are congregating in places like the Valley, or Cavill Avenue on the Gold Coast, are largely ignored."
He said many community clubs were struggling financially and would be burdened by any new regulation.
The inquiry continues.
Issued by The Chronicle 5th February 2010
http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2010/02/05/clubs-call-for-public-transport-boost/
Fair Trading continues to flush out dodgy security guards
Crooked security guards continue to be turned away from or kicked out of Queensland's security industry thanks to the Office of Fair Trading's (OFT) strict measures to protect the public from rogue operators.
Fair Trading Minister Peter Lawlor said Queensland had more than 27,000 licensed security providers and the OFT - which administers and checks security licences throughout the state - would not tolerate those who posed a risk to the safety of the community.
"As well as training and character reference checks, anyone who applies for a licence or applies to renew their licence goes through criminal history checks to ensure their suitability for working in the industry," Mr Lawlor said.
"If these checks show the person has criminal convictions for disqualifying offences, they are refused a licence outright - it's as simple as that.
"Since July 2009 alone, the OFT has refused 133 people security provider licences."
Mr Lawlor said those who did hold a licence were continually monitored.
"Our SCRAM system - short for Suitability, Checking, Reporting and Monitoring - checks every licensed security provider against Queensland Police Service records each night," Mr Lawlor said.
"The system shows whether anyone who has a licence has been charged with a disqualifying offence, which includes assault, sexual assault, fraud, stealing and drug offences as well as murder.
"If a security licence holder is detected by SCRAM as having been charged with one of these disqualifying offences they have 28 days to show cause why they should not be suspended pending the outcome of the charges.
"If convicted of the offence, the licence is immediately cancelled."
Mr Lawlor said the OFT had issued a total of 194 show cause notices, of which 170 were a result of SCRAM, since July last year.
"In this time, 31 licences were cancelled," he said.
The main reasons s ecurity providers had their licences cancelled, or refused on application, included drug related offences, stealing, assault and endangering other's life and health.
For more information about security provider licences or to check online if a security provider is licensed, visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au
Issued by statements@queensland 7th February 2010
Fair Trading Minister Peter Lawlor said Queensland had more than 27,000 licensed security providers and the OFT - which administers and checks security licences throughout the state - would not tolerate those who posed a risk to the safety of the community.
"As well as training and character reference checks, anyone who applies for a licence or applies to renew their licence goes through criminal history checks to ensure their suitability for working in the industry," Mr Lawlor said.
"If these checks show the person has criminal convictions for disqualifying offences, they are refused a licence outright - it's as simple as that.
"Since July 2009 alone, the OFT has refused 133 people security provider licences."
Mr Lawlor said those who did hold a licence were continually monitored.
"Our SCRAM system - short for Suitability, Checking, Reporting and Monitoring - checks every licensed security provider against Queensland Police Service records each night," Mr Lawlor said.
"The system shows whether anyone who has a licence has been charged with a disqualifying offence, which includes assault, sexual assault, fraud, stealing and drug offences as well as murder.
"If a security licence holder is detected by SCRAM as having been charged with one of these disqualifying offences they have 28 days to show cause why they should not be suspended pending the outcome of the charges.
"If convicted of the offence, the licence is immediately cancelled."
Mr Lawlor said the OFT had issued a total of 194 show cause notices, of which 170 were a result of SCRAM, since July last year.
"In this time, 31 licences were cancelled," he said.
The main reasons s ecurity providers had their licences cancelled, or refused on application, included drug related offences, stealing, assault and endangering other's life and health.
For more information about security provider licences or to check online if a security provider is licensed, visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au
Issued by statements@queensland 7th February 2010
Lifetime pub bans to cut alcohol-related violence
DRUNKEN louts face the potential of life bans at all of Hobart's pubs and clubs if they are caught doing the wrong thing.
Under a radical new plan to clean up the popular waterfront entertainment precinct.
The new scheme, being considered by Hobart's licensees, may also consider scanning licences or passports and taking photos of pubgoers to try to combat drunken behaviour in what is being dubbed a publicans' version of Neighbourhood Watch.
Fed up with drunken violence, Hobart's licensees are looking at the Pubwatch scheme which has been in place in the UK for more than a decade, and operates in parts of Victoria and more recently Western Australia.
The telephone or internet-based system enables pubs and clubs to register the name and identity of a person kicked out of their venue for anti-social or drunken behaviour.
Instead of that person being able to continue onto the next venue as can happen now, all of the area's drinking holes will be alerted and entry denied.
A chain of Hobart pubs and nightclubs has had a similar system in place for 18 months and says it has had a significant impact on cutting down violence.
Ian Vaughan, general manager of Proller, The Observatory, the Telegraph Hotel and Cargo, said a list of people either banned for life or for a pre-determined period had helped its venues get on top of a culture of violence that he says he has never witnessed before.
"These young people just have no respect for anything, they see there is no consequence for their actions, they just don't care, and I just don't know what they are thinking," Mr Vaughan said.
"We got our list set up and I have to say it has had a significant impact."
The list is updated on a weekly basis and distributed to bar staff and security at all the venues.
"Once we get rid of one troublemaker from one of our venues they are gone from all four that also gets rid of his or her 10 mates," Mr Vaughan said.
The system imposes a life ban on serial offenders or punters committing an assault on the premises.
Lesser offences lead to bans that may last months.
Setting up the full program for pubs and clubs is estimated to cost $20,000.
Tasmania Police Inspector Stuart Scott described the move as a positive one that would be a win-win for both pubs and clubs and for his officers.
Insp Scott said it was common knowledge drunk patrons who were evicted would then travel from venue to venue.
"Licensed venues and police have a shared concern in relation to alcohol-related violence . . . there is a shared concern locally, nationally and internationally about an increase in alcohol-related violence," Insp Scott said.
"The licensees think if they have a shared banned list it would be a powerful tool in maintaining the safety of their patrons in and around licensed premises.
"You have to consider the licensees' perspective.
"They might not know [drinkers] have been banned from another licensed premises so you have to understand their position.
"It is empowering for them and enables them to maintain a safer premises for their patrons and their staff."
Australian Hotels Association membership manager Anthony McConnon said publicans were sick and tired of anti-social behaviour threatening the safety of their staff and patrons.
Mr McConnon said it was time to get tough on drunken violence.
"We need to start getting serious about these issues and this is one way that we see of making that difference," he said.
"We now need to try and get other pubs on board to get this happening."
The smaller group of licensees who have raised the matter with police will now try to gain the support of other pubs and clubs.
Insp Scott said the success of the solution would be dependent on the support of the majority of the city's pubs and clubs.
Issued by The Mercury 6th February 2010
http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/02/06/126195_todays-news.html
Under a radical new plan to clean up the popular waterfront entertainment precinct.
The new scheme, being considered by Hobart's licensees, may also consider scanning licences or passports and taking photos of pubgoers to try to combat drunken behaviour in what is being dubbed a publicans' version of Neighbourhood Watch.
Fed up with drunken violence, Hobart's licensees are looking at the Pubwatch scheme which has been in place in the UK for more than a decade, and operates in parts of Victoria and more recently Western Australia.
The telephone or internet-based system enables pubs and clubs to register the name and identity of a person kicked out of their venue for anti-social or drunken behaviour.
Instead of that person being able to continue onto the next venue as can happen now, all of the area's drinking holes will be alerted and entry denied.
A chain of Hobart pubs and nightclubs has had a similar system in place for 18 months and says it has had a significant impact on cutting down violence.
Ian Vaughan, general manager of Proller, The Observatory, the Telegraph Hotel and Cargo, said a list of people either banned for life or for a pre-determined period had helped its venues get on top of a culture of violence that he says he has never witnessed before.
"These young people just have no respect for anything, they see there is no consequence for their actions, they just don't care, and I just don't know what they are thinking," Mr Vaughan said.
"We got our list set up and I have to say it has had a significant impact."
The list is updated on a weekly basis and distributed to bar staff and security at all the venues.
"Once we get rid of one troublemaker from one of our venues they are gone from all four that also gets rid of his or her 10 mates," Mr Vaughan said.
The system imposes a life ban on serial offenders or punters committing an assault on the premises.
Lesser offences lead to bans that may last months.
Setting up the full program for pubs and clubs is estimated to cost $20,000.
Tasmania Police Inspector Stuart Scott described the move as a positive one that would be a win-win for both pubs and clubs and for his officers.
Insp Scott said it was common knowledge drunk patrons who were evicted would then travel from venue to venue.
"Licensed venues and police have a shared concern in relation to alcohol-related violence . . . there is a shared concern locally, nationally and internationally about an increase in alcohol-related violence," Insp Scott said.
"The licensees think if they have a shared banned list it would be a powerful tool in maintaining the safety of their patrons in and around licensed premises.
"You have to consider the licensees' perspective.
"They might not know [drinkers] have been banned from another licensed premises so you have to understand their position.
"It is empowering for them and enables them to maintain a safer premises for their patrons and their staff."
Australian Hotels Association membership manager Anthony McConnon said publicans were sick and tired of anti-social behaviour threatening the safety of their staff and patrons.
Mr McConnon said it was time to get tough on drunken violence.
"We need to start getting serious about these issues and this is one way that we see of making that difference," he said.
"We now need to try and get other pubs on board to get this happening."
The smaller group of licensees who have raised the matter with police will now try to gain the support of other pubs and clubs.
Insp Scott said the success of the solution would be dependent on the support of the majority of the city's pubs and clubs.
Issued by The Mercury 6th February 2010
http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/02/06/126195_todays-news.html
Friday, February 5, 2010
Alcohol attitude must change: Fitzgerald
Alcohol must stop being such an intrinsic part of Australian life if the wave of alcohol-fuelled violence is to be stopped, a leading expert in the field said yesterday.
Griffith University Emeritus Professor Ross Fitzgerald, a member of the NSW Government Expert Advisory Committee on Alcohol and other Drugs, has battled with alcohol addiction for most of his life.
Professor Fitzgerald has been sober for 40 years, with his last drink on Australia Day 1970.
"That means I've had 40 more years on the planet than I otherwise would have had," he told brisbanetimes.com.au yesterday.
Professor Fitzgerald said alcohol and socialising went hand-in-hand in Australia, and that needed to change.
"Alcohol is so critical to our society that our language reflects that, so 'to drink' means to drink alcohol," he said.
"And 'what's the matter, don't you drink?' means 'what's the matter, don't you drink alcohol?'."
Professor Fitzgerald, who this week launched his book My Name is Ross - An Alcoholic's Journey, said excessive drinking could make people "very dangerous" to be around.
Something must be done to stop the cycle of of excessive drinking before it starts, he said.
"At a governmental level, there should be extensive education in schools," Professor Fitzgerald said.
"There should be a ban on advertising alcohol before 8 o'clock at night and, very importantly, we should break the nexus between alcohol and sport, in exactly the same way they did with cigarettes."
Professor Fitzgerald said the approach for treating diagnosed alcoholics also needed to change.
"Unfortunately in Queensland Health, there is still a concerted move to get alcoholics to control or moderate their drinking, when there is absolutely no evidence that over a long time this works," he said.
"I've been running the line for the past 40 years that the only safe option, the only safe therapeutic goal, is total abstinence."
That could only be done with a support network like Alcoholics Anonymous, he said.
Professor Fitzgerald's comments came on the eve of a public hearing into alcohol-fuelled violence in Brisbane.
The parliamentary inquiry will continue today when its fourth public hearing is heard at Queensland Parliament House.
Law, Justice and Safety Committee chair Barbara Stone said witnesses would include anti-violence campaigner Paul Stanley and criminologist Professor Ross Homel.
"We know that this matter can not be instantly remedied and we are drawing on a wide range of sources to seek long-term solutions and to improve cultural attitudes to alcohol consumption," she said.
Issued by Brisbane Times 5th February 2010
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/alcohol-attitude-must-change-fitzgerald-20100204-ng1r.html
Griffith University Emeritus Professor Ross Fitzgerald, a member of the NSW Government Expert Advisory Committee on Alcohol and other Drugs, has battled with alcohol addiction for most of his life.
Professor Fitzgerald has been sober for 40 years, with his last drink on Australia Day 1970.
"That means I've had 40 more years on the planet than I otherwise would have had," he told brisbanetimes.com.au yesterday.
Professor Fitzgerald said alcohol and socialising went hand-in-hand in Australia, and that needed to change.
"Alcohol is so critical to our society that our language reflects that, so 'to drink' means to drink alcohol," he said.
"And 'what's the matter, don't you drink?' means 'what's the matter, don't you drink alcohol?'."
Professor Fitzgerald, who this week launched his book My Name is Ross - An Alcoholic's Journey, said excessive drinking could make people "very dangerous" to be around.
Something must be done to stop the cycle of of excessive drinking before it starts, he said.
"At a governmental level, there should be extensive education in schools," Professor Fitzgerald said.
"There should be a ban on advertising alcohol before 8 o'clock at night and, very importantly, we should break the nexus between alcohol and sport, in exactly the same way they did with cigarettes."
Professor Fitzgerald said the approach for treating diagnosed alcoholics also needed to change.
"Unfortunately in Queensland Health, there is still a concerted move to get alcoholics to control or moderate their drinking, when there is absolutely no evidence that over a long time this works," he said.
"I've been running the line for the past 40 years that the only safe option, the only safe therapeutic goal, is total abstinence."
That could only be done with a support network like Alcoholics Anonymous, he said.
Professor Fitzgerald's comments came on the eve of a public hearing into alcohol-fuelled violence in Brisbane.
The parliamentary inquiry will continue today when its fourth public hearing is heard at Queensland Parliament House.
Law, Justice and Safety Committee chair Barbara Stone said witnesses would include anti-violence campaigner Paul Stanley and criminologist Professor Ross Homel.
"We know that this matter can not be instantly remedied and we are drawing on a wide range of sources to seek long-term solutions and to improve cultural attitudes to alcohol consumption," she said.
Issued by Brisbane Times 5th February 2010
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/alcohol-attitude-must-change-fitzgerald-20100204-ng1r.html
Last drinks threatened for lap dancing club
POLICE threatened to shut down a club after the owner stopped providing free drinks and lap dances, a lawyer says.
The Gold Coast club was allegedly put on a "hit list" last year after the proprietor decided to end VIP hospitality for off-duty police.
"He decided enough was enough in terms of free loading coppers," said the lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"He sought our advice after the police suggested they could find ways to have him shut down. He was concerned and had to step up his security as a result."
The Crime and Misconduct Commission is investigating allegations police have been getting too close to the Gold Coast club scene, including involvement in drug dealing.
Some clubs are known to fete off-duty police with free entry, free drinks and even lap dances.
At least one club is said to provide police with $100 drink cards, with some strip clubs offering officers "special treatment".
Senior police admit some young officers have been "caught up in the wrong crowd".
They rub shoulders with bikies who are reputed to control the nightclub drug trade on the Glitter Strip.
Bikie associates have held stakes in Coast clubs and been involved in running security.
"It has absolutely nothing to do with making money out of security and everything to do with the supply of drugs to a ready-made market," a legal source said.
Last November, authorities ended a two-year operation targeting prominent Gold Coast bikie gang the Finks.
During the operation, run by the Australian Crime Commission and Queensland police, more than 40 people were arrested on 160 charges and in excess of $1 million in drugs, cash and property was seized.
In September, Finks sergeant-at-arms Gregory Keating was jailed for refusing to break his gang's code of silence, after he declined to answer the ACC's questions about illegal drug distribution.
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson this week admitted some police may have been corrupted by the Gold Coast's "Las Vegas" lifestyle.
Issued by news.com.au 5th February 2010
http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/last-drinks-for-lap-dancing-club/story-e6frfku0-1225826926832
The Gold Coast club was allegedly put on a "hit list" last year after the proprietor decided to end VIP hospitality for off-duty police.
"He decided enough was enough in terms of free loading coppers," said the lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"He sought our advice after the police suggested they could find ways to have him shut down. He was concerned and had to step up his security as a result."
The Crime and Misconduct Commission is investigating allegations police have been getting too close to the Gold Coast club scene, including involvement in drug dealing.
Some clubs are known to fete off-duty police with free entry, free drinks and even lap dances.
At least one club is said to provide police with $100 drink cards, with some strip clubs offering officers "special treatment".
Senior police admit some young officers have been "caught up in the wrong crowd".
They rub shoulders with bikies who are reputed to control the nightclub drug trade on the Glitter Strip.
Bikie associates have held stakes in Coast clubs and been involved in running security.
"It has absolutely nothing to do with making money out of security and everything to do with the supply of drugs to a ready-made market," a legal source said.
Last November, authorities ended a two-year operation targeting prominent Gold Coast bikie gang the Finks.
During the operation, run by the Australian Crime Commission and Queensland police, more than 40 people were arrested on 160 charges and in excess of $1 million in drugs, cash and property was seized.
In September, Finks sergeant-at-arms Gregory Keating was jailed for refusing to break his gang's code of silence, after he declined to answer the ACC's questions about illegal drug distribution.
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson this week admitted some police may have been corrupted by the Gold Coast's "Las Vegas" lifestyle.
Issued by news.com.au 5th February 2010
http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/last-drinks-for-lap-dancing-club/story-e6frfku0-1225826926832
Many ingredients make this gen Y cocktail of violence
While there is a perception that generation Y is more violent than previous generations and there is data to back this view, it is not so straightforward. Statistics and demographics go hand in hand - as the youth population (and the population in general) increases, so will incidents of violence. There is also increased reporting of violent incidents in the media, often with footage to go with it. This is a factor of the increasing prevalence of security cameras and, of course, everyone carries a mobile, and every mobile is a camera.
Yet the question still needs addressing: why is generation Y involved in so many violent incidents?
Some have simplified the explanation down to the rise in violence on television, video games, in movies and music videos. In this paper yesterday, the Australian Hotels Association national president Thomas McGuire put the blame on gen Y drinkers being raised on TV and therefore lacking empathy. ''These kids have been, on the one hand, exposed to substantial amounts of violence in what they see on TV and video games … but they [have] not actually experienced a lot of pain.'' It was also said that the rules of the street are changing - ''king hitting'' was no longer a taboo, people were being kicked in the head on the ground and women were being glassed.
But what fuels much youth violence is excessive alcohol consumption, and particularly binge drinking.
While the culture of binge drinking has been prevalent in Australia for more than a decade, generation Y has taken it beyond the pubs and clubs to public spaces and parties at home. While there has been much discussion about easy-to-consume ''alcopops'', the broader issue is the massive increase in packaged liquor sales to young people.
An exacerbating factor is the knife culture, which while small, is a growing trend. Once weapons are added to the mix, the ramifications of the violence are multiplied.
Generation Y has been shaped in an environment of more permissive parenting where their parents have given them more freedom younger, and for many, parents have morphed into ''peerants''. The lack of boundaries and a failure to emphasise personal responsibility has created a context where there are choices without an understanding of consequences. Far from instilling independence and maturity, too much freedom too early creates a ''safety net syndrome'' where young adults are less likely to worry about the risks of their behaviour.
Another aspect adding complexity to this problem - and one not experienced by previous generations - is the use of technology and social networking in organising gatherings. With very short notice, plans can be made or changed, parties can be arranged or shifted and events can be gate-crashed. Without the planning required of past generations, spontaneous gatherings arise, often in inappropriate places or with combined groups, which can create a flashpoint.
Another cultural shift with generation Y is the rise of women drinking excessively. In the past, young women had a dampening effect on male violence. However, studies show that the growth in female binge drinking is rising faster than that of men.
With inebriated young women in the mix, the likelihood of violence escalates, with women both the victims and increasingly the perpetrators.
While it is an old pastime to disparage the emerging generation for the woes of the world, youth violence is a serious and persistent issue. The answers won't be found solely in increased policing, tighter liquor regulations or improved security. It starts with young adults taking responsibility for their choices and behaviours. Parents have a burden of responsibility too. The actions that parents model and the values that they instill directly affect the lives of their children. Society can support parents and young people through appropriate licensing laws, creating a culture that censors rather than celebrates violence, from the sporting field to the mass media, and by holding people to account for their actions.
Mark McCrindle is a social researcher and director of McCrindle Research. mccrindle.com.au
Issued by The Age Friday 5th February 2010
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/many-ingredients-make-this-gen-y-cocktail-of-violence-20100204-ng35.html
Yet the question still needs addressing: why is generation Y involved in so many violent incidents?
Some have simplified the explanation down to the rise in violence on television, video games, in movies and music videos. In this paper yesterday, the Australian Hotels Association national president Thomas McGuire put the blame on gen Y drinkers being raised on TV and therefore lacking empathy. ''These kids have been, on the one hand, exposed to substantial amounts of violence in what they see on TV and video games … but they [have] not actually experienced a lot of pain.'' It was also said that the rules of the street are changing - ''king hitting'' was no longer a taboo, people were being kicked in the head on the ground and women were being glassed.
But what fuels much youth violence is excessive alcohol consumption, and particularly binge drinking.
While the culture of binge drinking has been prevalent in Australia for more than a decade, generation Y has taken it beyond the pubs and clubs to public spaces and parties at home. While there has been much discussion about easy-to-consume ''alcopops'', the broader issue is the massive increase in packaged liquor sales to young people.
An exacerbating factor is the knife culture, which while small, is a growing trend. Once weapons are added to the mix, the ramifications of the violence are multiplied.
Generation Y has been shaped in an environment of more permissive parenting where their parents have given them more freedom younger, and for many, parents have morphed into ''peerants''. The lack of boundaries and a failure to emphasise personal responsibility has created a context where there are choices without an understanding of consequences. Far from instilling independence and maturity, too much freedom too early creates a ''safety net syndrome'' where young adults are less likely to worry about the risks of their behaviour.
Another aspect adding complexity to this problem - and one not experienced by previous generations - is the use of technology and social networking in organising gatherings. With very short notice, plans can be made or changed, parties can be arranged or shifted and events can be gate-crashed. Without the planning required of past generations, spontaneous gatherings arise, often in inappropriate places or with combined groups, which can create a flashpoint.
Another cultural shift with generation Y is the rise of women drinking excessively. In the past, young women had a dampening effect on male violence. However, studies show that the growth in female binge drinking is rising faster than that of men.
With inebriated young women in the mix, the likelihood of violence escalates, with women both the victims and increasingly the perpetrators.
While it is an old pastime to disparage the emerging generation for the woes of the world, youth violence is a serious and persistent issue. The answers won't be found solely in increased policing, tighter liquor regulations or improved security. It starts with young adults taking responsibility for their choices and behaviours. Parents have a burden of responsibility too. The actions that parents model and the values that they instill directly affect the lives of their children. Society can support parents and young people through appropriate licensing laws, creating a culture that censors rather than celebrates violence, from the sporting field to the mass media, and by holding people to account for their actions.
Mark McCrindle is a social researcher and director of McCrindle Research. mccrindle.com.au
Issued by The Age Friday 5th February 2010
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/many-ingredients-make-this-gen-y-cocktail-of-violence-20100204-ng35.html
SuperCarnivale to heat up the Gold Coast
A new era of motor racing will begin on the Gold Coast this October, Premier Anna Bligh announced today.
Ms Bligh said the event will feature three days of V8 races, the likes of which have never been seen in Australia before.
"This marks a fresh start for this iconic Gold Coast event in its 20th year," Ms Bligh said.
"We were all disappointed when the A1GP let Queensland down ahead of last year's event.
"But the V8s and the Aussie Legends put on a terrific show and confirmed their incredible pulling power.
"The program they have put forward for 2010 will take the event to a whole new level.
"Not only will we have Australia's best V8 drivers come to the Gold Coast to compete as part of their annual series, top international drivers will also join the Australians on the track, and will compete in a stand-alone international drivers race on the Friday as well.
"This year's event will also be much more than a car race, with the new program including night time family entertainment along the Broadwater Parklands, and a wider range of off-track activities each day to attract an even bigger audience."
Ms Bligh said under the deal V8 Supercars will take over as event promoter for the next four years.
Additionally, after this year's event, a task force with input from the Gold Coast City Council, will consider whether a separate international category could participate in the future.
"We are determined to see this event go from strength to strength, so it can continue to inject millions of dollars into our State's economy for years to come," the Premier said.
Ms Bligh said the Government will continue to invest $11.6 million a year into events on the Gold Coast, with $6.5 million going towards the new event, and the remaining future savings to be redirected into supporting and developing other events in the local community.
"This is about getting value for money for the people of Queensland," she said.
"We will continue to invest in a world class event, while also ensuring that the money we save goes towards other opportunities to build the Gold Coast's reputation as a global events capital."
Today's announcement follows the release this morning of two reports into last year's event - one by the Auditor-General and one by independent reviewer David Williams - after the A1GP failed to show.
"These reports have provided government with a clear understanding of what went wrong, and a strong view of where to go from here," Ms Bligh said.
"The reports clearly demonstrate a number of failures in the contractual and governance arrangements for this event in the past - this is not good enough and these failures will be fixed.
"The recommendations of these reports will be implemented to ensure that the public interest is better protected in the future.
"I'm pleased that through our new agreement with the V8 Supercars, we are dealing with a well-known home-grown success story that continues to build a strong reputation as a leader in the world of international motor racing."
Sport Minister Phil Reeves said the Gold Coast SuperCarnivale will be V8 Supercars' flagship annual event.
"This will be the highlight of the Australian motor racing calendar - and what's more it will receive international coverage as top drivers from around the world come to the Gold Coast to take part," Mr Reeves said.
"This truly will be a race that takes Queensland to the world, boosting our tourism opportunities both during the event and throughout the year.
"With international drivers coming to compete, the publicity opportunities to promote the event overseas are only set to grow.
"And by supporting V8 Supercars, we are supporting a Queensland company and Queensland jobs."
Issued by email from Statements@Qld.gov.au February 4th 2010
Ms Bligh said the event will feature three days of V8 races, the likes of which have never been seen in Australia before.
"This marks a fresh start for this iconic Gold Coast event in its 20th year," Ms Bligh said.
"We were all disappointed when the A1GP let Queensland down ahead of last year's event.
"But the V8s and the Aussie Legends put on a terrific show and confirmed their incredible pulling power.
"The program they have put forward for 2010 will take the event to a whole new level.
"Not only will we have Australia's best V8 drivers come to the Gold Coast to compete as part of their annual series, top international drivers will also join the Australians on the track, and will compete in a stand-alone international drivers race on the Friday as well.
"This year's event will also be much more than a car race, with the new program including night time family entertainment along the Broadwater Parklands, and a wider range of off-track activities each day to attract an even bigger audience."
Ms Bligh said under the deal V8 Supercars will take over as event promoter for the next four years.
Additionally, after this year's event, a task force with input from the Gold Coast City Council, will consider whether a separate international category could participate in the future.
"We are determined to see this event go from strength to strength, so it can continue to inject millions of dollars into our State's economy for years to come," the Premier said.
Ms Bligh said the Government will continue to invest $11.6 million a year into events on the Gold Coast, with $6.5 million going towards the new event, and the remaining future savings to be redirected into supporting and developing other events in the local community.
"This is about getting value for money for the people of Queensland," she said.
"We will continue to invest in a world class event, while also ensuring that the money we save goes towards other opportunities to build the Gold Coast's reputation as a global events capital."
Today's announcement follows the release this morning of two reports into last year's event - one by the Auditor-General and one by independent reviewer David Williams - after the A1GP failed to show.
"These reports have provided government with a clear understanding of what went wrong, and a strong view of where to go from here," Ms Bligh said.
"The reports clearly demonstrate a number of failures in the contractual and governance arrangements for this event in the past - this is not good enough and these failures will be fixed.
"The recommendations of these reports will be implemented to ensure that the public interest is better protected in the future.
"I'm pleased that through our new agreement with the V8 Supercars, we are dealing with a well-known home-grown success story that continues to build a strong reputation as a leader in the world of international motor racing."
Sport Minister Phil Reeves said the Gold Coast SuperCarnivale will be V8 Supercars' flagship annual event.
"This will be the highlight of the Australian motor racing calendar - and what's more it will receive international coverage as top drivers from around the world come to the Gold Coast to take part," Mr Reeves said.
"This truly will be a race that takes Queensland to the world, boosting our tourism opportunities both during the event and throughout the year.
"With international drivers coming to compete, the publicity opportunities to promote the event overseas are only set to grow.
"And by supporting V8 Supercars, we are supporting a Queensland company and Queensland jobs."
Issued by email from Statements@Qld.gov.au February 4th 2010
Fine parents who give kids liquor: MP
PARENTS should be fined for giving their own children under 18 a glass of wine with dinner, a federal Liberal MP says.
It is illegal under state laws for people to give alcohol to minors without parental consent.
But Liberal backbencher Luke Simpkins wants to go further, and have parents fined for giving any kind of liquor to their own children before they reach adulthood.
"Given it is illegal for pubs and clubs to supply alcohol ... to persons under 18 ... that should be extended to all parents," Mr Simpkins told AAP on Wednesday, adding MPs from both sides of politics supported his call.
"Given brain development and maturity levels, it would be an excellent idea that it should just not be allowed lock, stock and barrel."
Asked if this would include a glass of wine with dinner, the father of two said: "That would be the right way to go."
Mr Simpkins said children introduced to alcohol at a younger age developed alcoholism later in life.
"I certainly won't be allowing my kids to have alcohol until they are 18," he said.
The Perth-based MP told a lower house inquiry into youth violence on Wednesday the law should be changed so parents are banned from giving alcohol to their own children.
The Australian Hotels Association told the same committee that while drinking levels were dropping during the week, people were binge drinking with more "intensity" on weekends, leading to more violent incidents.
"I feel sorry for the security staff," national president Tom McGuire said.
Asked about illicit drug use at its venues, he said his members were doing things like installing close-circuit cameras outside toilets to catch illegal activity.
"If you are going in and out, other than you have a bladder problem ... you are a suspect," he said.
The association's chief executive Bill Healey argued patrons often chose between spending $80 a night on alcohol or putting that money on a $20 ecstasy pill.
Higher alcohol taxes would encourage more illegal drug use, he argued.
"We're talking to Treasury about that increase in alcohol taxation."
Several states have laws banning the supply of alcohol to minors, including Queensland which fines licensed premises up to $18,750 for each offence.
Issued by The Chronicle 3rd February 2010
http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2010/02/03/fine-parents-who-give-liquor-to-kids-mp/
It is illegal under state laws for people to give alcohol to minors without parental consent.
But Liberal backbencher Luke Simpkins wants to go further, and have parents fined for giving any kind of liquor to their own children before they reach adulthood.
"Given it is illegal for pubs and clubs to supply alcohol ... to persons under 18 ... that should be extended to all parents," Mr Simpkins told AAP on Wednesday, adding MPs from both sides of politics supported his call.
"Given brain development and maturity levels, it would be an excellent idea that it should just not be allowed lock, stock and barrel."
Asked if this would include a glass of wine with dinner, the father of two said: "That would be the right way to go."
Mr Simpkins said children introduced to alcohol at a younger age developed alcoholism later in life.
"I certainly won't be allowing my kids to have alcohol until they are 18," he said.
The Perth-based MP told a lower house inquiry into youth violence on Wednesday the law should be changed so parents are banned from giving alcohol to their own children.
The Australian Hotels Association told the same committee that while drinking levels were dropping during the week, people were binge drinking with more "intensity" on weekends, leading to more violent incidents.
"I feel sorry for the security staff," national president Tom McGuire said.
Asked about illicit drug use at its venues, he said his members were doing things like installing close-circuit cameras outside toilets to catch illegal activity.
"If you are going in and out, other than you have a bladder problem ... you are a suspect," he said.
The association's chief executive Bill Healey argued patrons often chose between spending $80 a night on alcohol or putting that money on a $20 ecstasy pill.
Higher alcohol taxes would encourage more illegal drug use, he argued.
"We're talking to Treasury about that increase in alcohol taxation."
Several states have laws banning the supply of alcohol to minors, including Queensland which fines licensed premises up to $18,750 for each offence.
Issued by The Chronicle 3rd February 2010
http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2010/02/03/fine-parents-who-give-liquor-to-kids-mp/
Teen airs trauma of girls fight
MADISON Stutynski has been busy in Canberra representing the views of the region – and addressing the problem of alcohol-fuelled violence – at youth forum Heywire.
The Mackay teen’s story about her own brush with drunken violence won her a place at the week-long forum, which is run by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
The competition, open to those aged between 16 and 22, asks regional youth to ‘tell it like it is’ through short stories in text, pictures, video or audio about what life is like outside major Australian cities.
Ms Stutynski focused on the reality of violence among young girls, telling a story about how she became a victim of physical abuse at a friend’s party.
She wrote that the incident opened her eyes, ‘To the types of things that are going wrong to good people and why there is a limit on the consumption of alcohol.
‘This really affected me, because I am the kind of student with A’s, does her part in the community more than often, has big dreams to study at University, just trying to help someone out, I’d never been in a fight before and this happens.’
The 18-year-old says she is so far enjoying the forum and checking out the nation’s capital.
She said the forum, in its 12th year, had already provided great opportunities for her to meet people in high places and exchange ideas.
“I’ve met with some government representatives to talk about rural and regional issues,” she said.
Ms Stutynski, who is studying architecture at the University of Queensland, is also taking part in mentoring, training, networking and skill building activities.
She has already delivered a speech about alcohol-fuelled violence in rural communities.
Other highlights of her trip include a morning tea at Parliament House to meet local members and Federal Ministers; meetings with Minster for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke and the CEO of the Foundation for Young Australians Adam Smith; and sitting in on Parliament question time.
Ms Stutynski’s entry is at heywire.abc.net.au. Entries are open for the 2010 Heywire competition.
Issued by The Daily Mercury 4th February 2010
http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2010/02/04/teen-airs-trauma-of-drunken-girls-fighting-at-part/
The Mackay teen’s story about her own brush with drunken violence won her a place at the week-long forum, which is run by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
The competition, open to those aged between 16 and 22, asks regional youth to ‘tell it like it is’ through short stories in text, pictures, video or audio about what life is like outside major Australian cities.
Ms Stutynski focused on the reality of violence among young girls, telling a story about how she became a victim of physical abuse at a friend’s party.
She wrote that the incident opened her eyes, ‘To the types of things that are going wrong to good people and why there is a limit on the consumption of alcohol.
‘This really affected me, because I am the kind of student with A’s, does her part in the community more than often, has big dreams to study at University, just trying to help someone out, I’d never been in a fight before and this happens.’
The 18-year-old says she is so far enjoying the forum and checking out the nation’s capital.
She said the forum, in its 12th year, had already provided great opportunities for her to meet people in high places and exchange ideas.
“I’ve met with some government representatives to talk about rural and regional issues,” she said.
Ms Stutynski, who is studying architecture at the University of Queensland, is also taking part in mentoring, training, networking and skill building activities.
She has already delivered a speech about alcohol-fuelled violence in rural communities.
Other highlights of her trip include a morning tea at Parliament House to meet local members and Federal Ministers; meetings with Minster for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke and the CEO of the Foundation for Young Australians Adam Smith; and sitting in on Parliament question time.
Ms Stutynski’s entry is at heywire.abc.net.au. Entries are open for the 2010 Heywire competition.
Issued by The Daily Mercury 4th February 2010
http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2010/02/04/teen-airs-trauma-of-drunken-girls-fighting-at-part/
TV violence fuels nastier bar brawls
HOTELIERS have told a federal government inquiry into youth violence that pub brawls had not increased but attacks were more vicious and visible.
The Australian Hotels Association said generation Y drinkers had been raised on TV violence but lacked the empathy that a thumping in the school ground had instilled in previous generations. ''We are getting people … going out having shaved, showered and slipping a knife in the pocket, which is a very strange attitude to going out and having a good time,'' the association's national president, Thomas McGuire, said.
This ''significant change in social concern for one another'', and not alcohol, was to blame.
The association's chief executive, Bill Healey, acknowledged increasing public concern about alcohol-fuelled violence, spurred by closed-circuit TV footage of drunken brawls in bars.
He told the government's family and youth committee that while the number of violent attacks at pubs and bars had not increased from 10 years ago, there had been a rise in viciousness.
''These kids have been, on the one hand, exposed to substantial amounts of violence in what they see on TV and video games … but they [have] not actually experienced a lot of pain. They don't get kicked at school - the empathy factor of knowing how it feels.''
Mr Healey complained that the rules of the street once meant you did not ''king-hit'' people but now incidents involved people being kicked in the head on the ground and women being hit with beer glasses.
The presence of drugs in clubs was also blamed for the intensity of many recent attacks, and the association said hotels were working with police to redesign public areas and increase video monitoring, but warned that raising alcohol taxes made drug use more attractive.
The association said it was on the front line of dealing with the problem of youth violence and urged a crackdown on the offenders by cancelling teenagers' drivers licences, for example, rather than imposing greater restrictions on hotels.
Mr McGuire said that often young offenders were issued only light fines by courts, and parents could be unaware teenagers had been arrested when they were released within hours.
The association said that Australians drank less today but did so more intensely, with end-of-week binges. It said 70 per cent of sales were of packaged liquor, part of a shift from licensed premises.
More young people drank at home because it was economical, then went to pubs and bars after 10pm. Trouble started when they were refused entry, the association said.
When asked if the use of bouncers was contributing to violence and there was a need for better training, Mr McGuire replied: ''The gene pool is a bit limited.''
Issued by The Sydney Morning Herald 4th February 2010
http://www.smh.com.au/national/tv-violence-fuels-nastier-bar-brawls-20100203-ndj5.html
The Australian Hotels Association said generation Y drinkers had been raised on TV violence but lacked the empathy that a thumping in the school ground had instilled in previous generations. ''We are getting people … going out having shaved, showered and slipping a knife in the pocket, which is a very strange attitude to going out and having a good time,'' the association's national president, Thomas McGuire, said.
This ''significant change in social concern for one another'', and not alcohol, was to blame.
The association's chief executive, Bill Healey, acknowledged increasing public concern about alcohol-fuelled violence, spurred by closed-circuit TV footage of drunken brawls in bars.
He told the government's family and youth committee that while the number of violent attacks at pubs and bars had not increased from 10 years ago, there had been a rise in viciousness.
''These kids have been, on the one hand, exposed to substantial amounts of violence in what they see on TV and video games … but they [have] not actually experienced a lot of pain. They don't get kicked at school - the empathy factor of knowing how it feels.''
Mr Healey complained that the rules of the street once meant you did not ''king-hit'' people but now incidents involved people being kicked in the head on the ground and women being hit with beer glasses.
The presence of drugs in clubs was also blamed for the intensity of many recent attacks, and the association said hotels were working with police to redesign public areas and increase video monitoring, but warned that raising alcohol taxes made drug use more attractive.
The association said it was on the front line of dealing with the problem of youth violence and urged a crackdown on the offenders by cancelling teenagers' drivers licences, for example, rather than imposing greater restrictions on hotels.
Mr McGuire said that often young offenders were issued only light fines by courts, and parents could be unaware teenagers had been arrested when they were released within hours.
The association said that Australians drank less today but did so more intensely, with end-of-week binges. It said 70 per cent of sales were of packaged liquor, part of a shift from licensed premises.
More young people drank at home because it was economical, then went to pubs and bars after 10pm. Trouble started when they were refused entry, the association said.
When asked if the use of bouncers was contributing to violence and there was a need for better training, Mr McGuire replied: ''The gene pool is a bit limited.''
Issued by The Sydney Morning Herald 4th February 2010
http://www.smh.com.au/national/tv-violence-fuels-nastier-bar-brawls-20100203-ndj5.html
Cricket Australia rejects booze ban plan in grounds over attack on Pak player
Sydney, Feb 3 : Cricket Australia has rejected the idea of banning alcohol from Australian grounds after delivering apologies and explanations over Sunday night’s pitch invasion in Perth which saw Pakistan opener Khalid Latif tackled to the ground.
CA chairman Jack Clarke and chief executive James Sutherland both apologised to their Pakistani counterparts.
However, CA argued that dramatically increased fines for spectators who enter the field of play should ensure repetitions of the incident, which led to Pakistan’s Sports Minister Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, calling for alcohol to be banned from Australian grounds.
CA was quick to reject the idea of a booze ban. “Absolutely not. ‘The Australian public tell us they want to come to the cricket and enjoy a beer, and the vast majority of them do so in a totally appropriate manner,” said CA spokesman Peter Young.
IPL CEO Sundar Raman criticized the double standards applied by Australian cricket authorities who have engaged an independent security consultant to assess the risk for players going to India for the Twenty20 tournament.
“Maybe Paul Marsh should first think of sharing pitch invasion prevention plans with visiting teams before raving and ranting about security!” Raman tweeted.
Young conceded that closed-circuit television monitoring of crowds at the WACA Ground was not as effective as at other venues in Australia and stopping spectators from entering the field of play is more difficult because of the large hill area.
However, Young was emphatic that increased penalties would work. “We think the issue of Perth is pretty straightforward: there needs to be a review of the level of penalties so that the disincentive in Perth is as painful as it is elsewhere.” (ANI)
Issued by India Talkies 3rd February 2010
http://www.indiatalkies.com/2010/02/cricket-australia-rejects-booze-ban-plan-grounds-attack-pak-player.html
CA chairman Jack Clarke and chief executive James Sutherland both apologised to their Pakistani counterparts.
However, CA argued that dramatically increased fines for spectators who enter the field of play should ensure repetitions of the incident, which led to Pakistan’s Sports Minister Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, calling for alcohol to be banned from Australian grounds.
CA was quick to reject the idea of a booze ban. “Absolutely not. ‘The Australian public tell us they want to come to the cricket and enjoy a beer, and the vast majority of them do so in a totally appropriate manner,” said CA spokesman Peter Young.
IPL CEO Sundar Raman criticized the double standards applied by Australian cricket authorities who have engaged an independent security consultant to assess the risk for players going to India for the Twenty20 tournament.
“Maybe Paul Marsh should first think of sharing pitch invasion prevention plans with visiting teams before raving and ranting about security!” Raman tweeted.
Young conceded that closed-circuit television monitoring of crowds at the WACA Ground was not as effective as at other venues in Australia and stopping spectators from entering the field of play is more difficult because of the large hill area.
However, Young was emphatic that increased penalties would work. “We think the issue of Perth is pretty straightforward: there needs to be a review of the level of penalties so that the disincentive in Perth is as painful as it is elsewhere.” (ANI)
Issued by India Talkies 3rd February 2010
http://www.indiatalkies.com/2010/02/cricket-australia-rejects-booze-ban-plan-grounds-attack-pak-player.html
Pub violence getting worse, inquiry hears
The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) says violence in hotels and pubs has become more vicious, erupts more easily and often involves weapons.
In evidence before a federal parliament inquiry into youth violence, the association said drugs - rather than alcohol - are fuelling violence in licensed premises.
AHA chief executive Bill Healey said the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) laws had reduced opportunities for violence and putting more controls on hotels was not the answer.
"If you make it harder for those businesses to operate and you push drinking behaviour out into parks and backyards, you are actually going to create an environment where drinking will be less regulated and the potential for uncontrolled violence will be more evident," he said.
AHA national president Tom McGuire told the inquiry violence has always existed around drinking, but he is disturbed by the casual attitude many people now have towards carrying a weapon.
"The change has been in the degree of violence that we're seeing out there," he said.
"We're getting people that are going out at night, having a shave, a shower, putting on the aftershave and slipping a knife in their pocket, which is a very strange attitude to go out and have a good night."
Mr McGuire says the punishments for violent acts need to be increased.
"We've actually got to target the offender more seriously, make it hard on them because at the moment most of them get a slap on the wrist and then they come back next week because there's no pain involved," he said.
Issued by abc.net.au 3rd February 2010
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/03/2809395.htm?section=justin
In evidence before a federal parliament inquiry into youth violence, the association said drugs - rather than alcohol - are fuelling violence in licensed premises.
AHA chief executive Bill Healey said the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) laws had reduced opportunities for violence and putting more controls on hotels was not the answer.
"If you make it harder for those businesses to operate and you push drinking behaviour out into parks and backyards, you are actually going to create an environment where drinking will be less regulated and the potential for uncontrolled violence will be more evident," he said.
AHA national president Tom McGuire told the inquiry violence has always existed around drinking, but he is disturbed by the casual attitude many people now have towards carrying a weapon.
"The change has been in the degree of violence that we're seeing out there," he said.
"We're getting people that are going out at night, having a shave, a shower, putting on the aftershave and slipping a knife in their pocket, which is a very strange attitude to go out and have a good night."
Mr McGuire says the punishments for violent acts need to be increased.
"We've actually got to target the offender more seriously, make it hard on them because at the moment most of them get a slap on the wrist and then they come back next week because there's no pain involved," he said.
Issued by abc.net.au 3rd February 2010
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/03/2809395.htm?section=justin
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Hoteliers war on unruly patrons
Toowoomba's hoteliers are waging a war against violent and unruly patrons.
So far, five people have been slapped with blanket bans from more than 30 Toowoomba licensed venues with another four or five in the process of being served.
The bans, which range from between three to five months, are part of a joint initiative launched in November last year by the Toowoomba Liquor Industry Action Group (LIAG) and police.
LIAG president and Tomba’s Niteclub licensee Trevor Watts said the bans were an added consequence for people who misbehaved.
The bans currently only apply to participating venues, but Mr Watts has called for changes to legislation to ensure they could be applied to an entire entertainment precinct or even all 17 entertainment precincts across the state.
“We want some meat put on the bones of the Liquor Act to make individuals more responsible for their actions,” Mr Watts said.
“There should be more policing and bigger fines so that the individuals who perpetrate this behaviour are held accountable.”
Mr Watts said one of the men to be served a ban was kicked out of Fitzy’s Fibber Magee Irish Pub and attempted to enter Tomba’s Niteclub, but became aggressive when he was refused entry and was consequently arrested.
He was charged with a public nuisance offence, fined $900 and slapped with a three-month blanket ban.
The banned patrons stand to receive even further punishment if they enter a participating venue while serving their ban.
The maximum penalty is a $2000 fine or one year imprisonment.
Sergeant Roger Thompson from Toowoomba Police said the system had been effective so far.
“The reports coming out of the licensed premises are that those persons have complied and we’ve had no further problems,” he said.
Although Toowoomba lawyer and anti-late night drinking campaigner Dan Toombs said he supported the scheme, he said the system was being “significantly undermined” while there were venues choosing not to participate.
“You’re just transferring the problem to another venue if they’re not all going to adopt it,” he said.
“But any licensee who is stepping up to ban troublesome patrons is a good thing.”
Some of the hotels not participating in the scheme include the Drayton Tavern, The Mill Street Tavern, Westbrook Junction Tavern, Stock Exchange Hotel, Fiveways Hotel and the Newtown Hotel.
Published in The Chronicle on 25 January.
http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2010/01/25/hoteliers-war-on-unruly-patrons/
So far, five people have been slapped with blanket bans from more than 30 Toowoomba licensed venues with another four or five in the process of being served.
The bans, which range from between three to five months, are part of a joint initiative launched in November last year by the Toowoomba Liquor Industry Action Group (LIAG) and police.
LIAG president and Tomba’s Niteclub licensee Trevor Watts said the bans were an added consequence for people who misbehaved.
The bans currently only apply to participating venues, but Mr Watts has called for changes to legislation to ensure they could be applied to an entire entertainment precinct or even all 17 entertainment precincts across the state.
“We want some meat put on the bones of the Liquor Act to make individuals more responsible for their actions,” Mr Watts said.
“There should be more policing and bigger fines so that the individuals who perpetrate this behaviour are held accountable.”
Mr Watts said one of the men to be served a ban was kicked out of Fitzy’s Fibber Magee Irish Pub and attempted to enter Tomba’s Niteclub, but became aggressive when he was refused entry and was consequently arrested.
He was charged with a public nuisance offence, fined $900 and slapped with a three-month blanket ban.
The banned patrons stand to receive even further punishment if they enter a participating venue while serving their ban.
The maximum penalty is a $2000 fine or one year imprisonment.
Sergeant Roger Thompson from Toowoomba Police said the system had been effective so far.
“The reports coming out of the licensed premises are that those persons have complied and we’ve had no further problems,” he said.
Although Toowoomba lawyer and anti-late night drinking campaigner Dan Toombs said he supported the scheme, he said the system was being “significantly undermined” while there were venues choosing not to participate.
“You’re just transferring the problem to another venue if they’re not all going to adopt it,” he said.
“But any licensee who is stepping up to ban troublesome patrons is a good thing.”
Some of the hotels not participating in the scheme include the Drayton Tavern, The Mill Street Tavern, Westbrook Junction Tavern, Stock Exchange Hotel, Fiveways Hotel and the Newtown Hotel.
Published in The Chronicle on 25 January.
http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2010/01/25/hoteliers-war-on-unruly-patrons/
Who cleans up after the boozers go home?
Licensing: those who make money selling liquor should help pay for the cost to society of alcohol-related harm.
THE debate continues to rage about the social cost of booze - car crashes, street violence and the massive loss of productivity in the workplace. But the current liquor licensing saga adds an angle rarely explored from a fiscal perspective. When all the arguments are distilled, the liquor licensing dilemma comes down to one question: who should pay for the clean-up when the punters have all gone home?
Melbourne's Tote may now have closed its doors for the last time and the Arthouse won't be renewing its liquor licence, reportedly because of new risk-based fees for licensed venues imposed by the State Government.
Some licensees describe the new fees as unfairly targeted, financially crippling and imposed without consultation, a sentiment that's been echoed by the alcohol industry. Mind you, only a small proportion of licensees have protested over the new licence scheme - according to Liquor Licensing Commission director Sue Maclellan.
The cost to us - the Australian taxpayers - from alcohol-related harm in 2004-05 was estimated to be more than $15 billion. In Victoria, the cost of alcohol-related harm in 2007-2008 was to the tune of $4.3 billion. Surely it makes sense that those who profit from the sales of alcohol should help pay for the clean-up.
What should be pointed out, amid the furore over the ''new'' licensing requirements, is that the rise in fees was decided in consultation with the general public, including Melbourne's licensees.
And let's not forget that the regulatory costs recouped through licensing fees are only a very small portion of the actual costs of alcohol-related harm. It costs a bucket-load to regulate the liquor industry - and the only way to recover these costs is either through taxes or to impose charges (that is, licence fees) on those who profit from booze sales.
There are several ''social'' costs associated with the supply and consumption of alcohol that are not related directly to the regulation of the liquor industry, and are therefore not recoverable through liquor licensing fees. These costs are borne by all levels of government, businesses and individuals and include:
¦ Health-care costs resulting from alcohol-related injuries and disease.
¦ Loss of life from road accidents resulting from drink driving.
¦ Policing costs resulting from alcohol-related crime and violence.
¦ The cost of drink-driving campaigns.
¦ Loss in workplace productivity, increased absenteeism, property damage and theft associated with alcohol consumption.
The bias for the alcohol industry in the previous licensing system did little to stop new entrants to the retail industry - but such a position cannot be maintained in the face of the significant rise and costs of alcohol-related harm.
It has been reported that bars like the Tote and Arthouse are closing because of the new regime, which includes premiums on late night trading. What is not being considered in this debate is that there is a substantial body of evidence that shows that operating hours are a key determinant of alcohol-related harm. Extended operating hours have been associated with increased assaults, increased levels of alcohol-related road crashes and increased alcohol consumption. Studies from NSW have found that assaults at licensed premises were more likely to occur when the venue is open later, most frequently between midnight and 3am. It does not seem unreasonable that those who contribute to some of the worst late night violence (i.e. late night venues) should bear some of the costs of dealing with the violence.
Some licensees like the Tote and the Arthouse might claim their bars aren't associated with alcohol-related violence and certainly the designation of risk needs to be carefully considered. A venue's history of alcohol-related problems should and does play a role in assessing their licence fees. These venues have played a significant role in the development of Melbourne's impressive live music scene and it may be that some special consideration should be given to venues that contribute to the cultural health of our city. However, while the new licensing fee structure may need some minor adjustments, the motivations for targeting venues that cause the most harm to our community appear sound.
Of course, the system isn't perfect - these are new regulations and will take some time to bed down. There needs to be some flexibility and common sense applied. That a wine shop at the Queen Victoria Market pays higher fees than a Dan Murphy's because it opens with the market at 6am, seems a ludicrous result. But to throw out the scheme because of a few kinks is an over-reaction. What we do know is that too much of taxpayers' money is going towards cleaning up the mess that boozing creates. Now is the time for those who draw huge profits from alcohol sales to share that responsibility.
Sondra Davoren is senior legal policy adviser (alcohol) at the Cancer Prevention Centre, Cancer Council Victoria.
Published in Sydney Morning Herald on 25 January.
http://www.smh.com.au/business/who-cleans-up-after-the-boozers-go-home-20100124-mskf.html
THE debate continues to rage about the social cost of booze - car crashes, street violence and the massive loss of productivity in the workplace. But the current liquor licensing saga adds an angle rarely explored from a fiscal perspective. When all the arguments are distilled, the liquor licensing dilemma comes down to one question: who should pay for the clean-up when the punters have all gone home?
Melbourne's Tote may now have closed its doors for the last time and the Arthouse won't be renewing its liquor licence, reportedly because of new risk-based fees for licensed venues imposed by the State Government.
Some licensees describe the new fees as unfairly targeted, financially crippling and imposed without consultation, a sentiment that's been echoed by the alcohol industry. Mind you, only a small proportion of licensees have protested over the new licence scheme - according to Liquor Licensing Commission director Sue Maclellan.
The cost to us - the Australian taxpayers - from alcohol-related harm in 2004-05 was estimated to be more than $15 billion. In Victoria, the cost of alcohol-related harm in 2007-2008 was to the tune of $4.3 billion. Surely it makes sense that those who profit from the sales of alcohol should help pay for the clean-up.
What should be pointed out, amid the furore over the ''new'' licensing requirements, is that the rise in fees was decided in consultation with the general public, including Melbourne's licensees.
And let's not forget that the regulatory costs recouped through licensing fees are only a very small portion of the actual costs of alcohol-related harm. It costs a bucket-load to regulate the liquor industry - and the only way to recover these costs is either through taxes or to impose charges (that is, licence fees) on those who profit from booze sales.
There are several ''social'' costs associated with the supply and consumption of alcohol that are not related directly to the regulation of the liquor industry, and are therefore not recoverable through liquor licensing fees. These costs are borne by all levels of government, businesses and individuals and include:
¦ Health-care costs resulting from alcohol-related injuries and disease.
¦ Loss of life from road accidents resulting from drink driving.
¦ Policing costs resulting from alcohol-related crime and violence.
¦ The cost of drink-driving campaigns.
¦ Loss in workplace productivity, increased absenteeism, property damage and theft associated with alcohol consumption.
The bias for the alcohol industry in the previous licensing system did little to stop new entrants to the retail industry - but such a position cannot be maintained in the face of the significant rise and costs of alcohol-related harm.
It has been reported that bars like the Tote and Arthouse are closing because of the new regime, which includes premiums on late night trading. What is not being considered in this debate is that there is a substantial body of evidence that shows that operating hours are a key determinant of alcohol-related harm. Extended operating hours have been associated with increased assaults, increased levels of alcohol-related road crashes and increased alcohol consumption. Studies from NSW have found that assaults at licensed premises were more likely to occur when the venue is open later, most frequently between midnight and 3am. It does not seem unreasonable that those who contribute to some of the worst late night violence (i.e. late night venues) should bear some of the costs of dealing with the violence.
Some licensees like the Tote and the Arthouse might claim their bars aren't associated with alcohol-related violence and certainly the designation of risk needs to be carefully considered. A venue's history of alcohol-related problems should and does play a role in assessing their licence fees. These venues have played a significant role in the development of Melbourne's impressive live music scene and it may be that some special consideration should be given to venues that contribute to the cultural health of our city. However, while the new licensing fee structure may need some minor adjustments, the motivations for targeting venues that cause the most harm to our community appear sound.
Of course, the system isn't perfect - these are new regulations and will take some time to bed down. There needs to be some flexibility and common sense applied. That a wine shop at the Queen Victoria Market pays higher fees than a Dan Murphy's because it opens with the market at 6am, seems a ludicrous result. But to throw out the scheme because of a few kinks is an over-reaction. What we do know is that too much of taxpayers' money is going towards cleaning up the mess that boozing creates. Now is the time for those who draw huge profits from alcohol sales to share that responsibility.
Sondra Davoren is senior legal policy adviser (alcohol) at the Cancer Prevention Centre, Cancer Council Victoria.
Published in Sydney Morning Herald on 25 January.
http://www.smh.com.au/business/who-cleans-up-after-the-boozers-go-home-20100124-mskf.html
Drunks run their race at Spring Racing Carnival
SCHOOL-aged children swilling grog at the Spring Racing Carnival have caused restrictions on how much booze each punter can order.
Caulfield Racecourse has been slapped with changes to its liquor licence after dozens of fines for irresponsible service of alcohol.
One of the biggest issues for Caulfield was allowing drunks to stay on premises.
Another problem was serving underage teens.
Planned changes to the Victoria Amateur Turf Club licence include more inspections of patrons queuing for drinks to ensure they are not drunk and a new maximum of four containers or two cups of beer, or two cups or cans of spirits.
Bag checks would also be ramped up.
At the Caulfield Cup last year police issued 32 fines and evicted 27 people for alcohol and behavioural issues.
Police also arrested 37 patrons for being drunk in public and other offences.
The new conditions will affect all Melbourne Racing Club events, including the Caulfield Cup and Caulfield Guineas.
The Melbourne Racing Club and licensee the Turf Club have 21 days to contest the new conditions.
The Racing Club said it understood the importance of responsible service of alcohol and would work with police and Liquor Licensing to plan for this year's Caulfield Cup.
Liquor Licensing director Sue Maclellan said the proposed changes would help limit the number of drunks.
Kingston Police service area's Inspector Margaret Lewis welcomed the changes.
"Over the past several years there have been serious issues with underage drinking, drunken and anti-social behaviour at this event," Insp Lewis said.
"The Caulfield Cup tends to attract a large number of high school-aged students. There is a problem when they start drinking and behaving in an anti-social manner."
A spokeswoman for Consumer Affairs Minister Tony Robinson said all licensees were expected to foster responsible drinking.
"However, punters have a responsibility here too. A day at the races is not an excuse to get drunk and behave like a hoon," he said.
Published in Herald Sun 26 January.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/drunks-run-their-race-at-spring-racing-carnival/story-e6frf7jo-1225823421179
Caulfield Racecourse has been slapped with changes to its liquor licence after dozens of fines for irresponsible service of alcohol.
One of the biggest issues for Caulfield was allowing drunks to stay on premises.
Another problem was serving underage teens.
Planned changes to the Victoria Amateur Turf Club licence include more inspections of patrons queuing for drinks to ensure they are not drunk and a new maximum of four containers or two cups of beer, or two cups or cans of spirits.
Bag checks would also be ramped up.
At the Caulfield Cup last year police issued 32 fines and evicted 27 people for alcohol and behavioural issues.
Police also arrested 37 patrons for being drunk in public and other offences.
The new conditions will affect all Melbourne Racing Club events, including the Caulfield Cup and Caulfield Guineas.
The Melbourne Racing Club and licensee the Turf Club have 21 days to contest the new conditions.
The Racing Club said it understood the importance of responsible service of alcohol and would work with police and Liquor Licensing to plan for this year's Caulfield Cup.
Liquor Licensing director Sue Maclellan said the proposed changes would help limit the number of drunks.
Kingston Police service area's Inspector Margaret Lewis welcomed the changes.
"Over the past several years there have been serious issues with underage drinking, drunken and anti-social behaviour at this event," Insp Lewis said.
"The Caulfield Cup tends to attract a large number of high school-aged students. There is a problem when they start drinking and behaving in an anti-social manner."
A spokeswoman for Consumer Affairs Minister Tony Robinson said all licensees were expected to foster responsible drinking.
"However, punters have a responsibility here too. A day at the races is not an excuse to get drunk and behave like a hoon," he said.
Published in Herald Sun 26 January.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/drunks-run-their-race-at-spring-racing-carnival/story-e6frf7jo-1225823421179
Ban pool cues from pubs: paramedics
Queensland's ambulance officers want licensed venues to stop using pool cues and glass ashtrays to reduce the risk of being assaulted.
Last year the State Government banned glasses from some pubs and clubs to stop so-called "glassing" attacks.
Now the union representing Queensland's ambulance officers says pool cues and glass ashtrays have become a "weapon of choice" for drunken patrons who turn on paramedics.
Kroy Day from the Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union says paramedics are anxious about the makeshift weapons.
"Certainly they're weapons that people are using and if we can't make our people safe by any other means, then let's remove the weapons," he said.
"[This is] an indication of exactly how desperate and frustrated we are with the situation at the moment."
Mr Day says a survey of 142 ambulance officers showed 94 per cent had been assaulted on the job in the past five years.
"Back in 2002 we had about 22 or 23 officers assaulted. Last year the figure approached almost 150," he said.
"That's a really sad indictment on the community, considering the paramedics have been voted the most trusted profession in Australia for a number of years running."
Alcohol-fuelled violence
The paramedics' concerns have been presented in a submission to a Queensland parliamentary inquiry on alcohol-fuelled violence.
Mr Day says the problem has become so bad it is posing an "intolerable risk" to paramedics and pub patrons.
"More than 90 per cent of these assaults have been when there's been alcohol and/or drugs involved," he said.
"But the problem is that the violence is increasing and we need to do something to make sure people go home safe."
He says there is also anecdotal evidence which suggests rising violence is turning people away from the ambulance service.
"A little more than 10 per cent of paramedics who have been assaulted actually need some form of psychological intervention to get back to work," he said.
"So while it's hard to say 'X number of people have left', we certainly believe that there's a significant contributing factor here."
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says she understands the ambulance officers' concerns about being attacked on the job and says she will consider their call for the ban.
"Obviously there are pros and cons to it. I'd like to talk to them more about it and we'd like to see some of the evidence but I welcome their contribution," she said.
"They're the guys out there on the front line often late at night when no-one else is and if they've got something to offer, we'll talk to them."
Industry outrage
But general manager of the Chalk hotel in inner Brisbane, Jason Titman, says hoteliers are frustrated and outraged by the idea of a ban.
"I think we've got to start getting some commonsense here and asking, 'where does it stop?'" he said.
"I think if we're going to start going down the path of banning pool cues and glass ash trays, we've really got to look at the credibility of our arguments here and what we're trying to achieve.
"Because are we going to then start asking females to not wear high-heeled stilettos? Are we going to ban bar stools and tables so we're all standing around?
"And are we going to ask you to leave your keys outside the venue? To me, it's absolutely absurd."
The Chalk is taking legal action against patrons who were involved in a glassing attack last year.
Mr Titman says he wants to put the onus back on individual responsibility and he thinks that is better than multiple bans.
"You can't keep taking things away from people like that," he said.
"What the industry and what I've been advocating for a long while is individual responsibility. If somebody plays up on a licensed premises then let's ban them from any licensed premises for a long period of time.
"The Government, certainly with the global financial crisis out there, are desperate for money. Instead of fining people $200, $300 - which for a lot of people these days they don't care about - let's fine them $5,000 or $10,000 and say how serious we are.
"I mean, we're saying these are serious offences, we've all had enough of it but the legislators don't seem to want it."
Mr Titman says if Queensland continues banning things from pubs and clubs people will just stay away from them and so will the tourists.
Published in ABC News on 28 January.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/28/2804269.htm?section=justin
Last year the State Government banned glasses from some pubs and clubs to stop so-called "glassing" attacks.
Now the union representing Queensland's ambulance officers says pool cues and glass ashtrays have become a "weapon of choice" for drunken patrons who turn on paramedics.
Kroy Day from the Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union says paramedics are anxious about the makeshift weapons.
"Certainly they're weapons that people are using and if we can't make our people safe by any other means, then let's remove the weapons," he said.
"[This is] an indication of exactly how desperate and frustrated we are with the situation at the moment."
Mr Day says a survey of 142 ambulance officers showed 94 per cent had been assaulted on the job in the past five years.
"Back in 2002 we had about 22 or 23 officers assaulted. Last year the figure approached almost 150," he said.
"That's a really sad indictment on the community, considering the paramedics have been voted the most trusted profession in Australia for a number of years running."
Alcohol-fuelled violence
The paramedics' concerns have been presented in a submission to a Queensland parliamentary inquiry on alcohol-fuelled violence.
Mr Day says the problem has become so bad it is posing an "intolerable risk" to paramedics and pub patrons.
"More than 90 per cent of these assaults have been when there's been alcohol and/or drugs involved," he said.
"But the problem is that the violence is increasing and we need to do something to make sure people go home safe."
He says there is also anecdotal evidence which suggests rising violence is turning people away from the ambulance service.
"A little more than 10 per cent of paramedics who have been assaulted actually need some form of psychological intervention to get back to work," he said.
"So while it's hard to say 'X number of people have left', we certainly believe that there's a significant contributing factor here."
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says she understands the ambulance officers' concerns about being attacked on the job and says she will consider their call for the ban.
"Obviously there are pros and cons to it. I'd like to talk to them more about it and we'd like to see some of the evidence but I welcome their contribution," she said.
"They're the guys out there on the front line often late at night when no-one else is and if they've got something to offer, we'll talk to them."
Industry outrage
But general manager of the Chalk hotel in inner Brisbane, Jason Titman, says hoteliers are frustrated and outraged by the idea of a ban.
"I think we've got to start getting some commonsense here and asking, 'where does it stop?'" he said.
"I think if we're going to start going down the path of banning pool cues and glass ash trays, we've really got to look at the credibility of our arguments here and what we're trying to achieve.
"Because are we going to then start asking females to not wear high-heeled stilettos? Are we going to ban bar stools and tables so we're all standing around?
"And are we going to ask you to leave your keys outside the venue? To me, it's absolutely absurd."
The Chalk is taking legal action against patrons who were involved in a glassing attack last year.
Mr Titman says he wants to put the onus back on individual responsibility and he thinks that is better than multiple bans.
"You can't keep taking things away from people like that," he said.
"What the industry and what I've been advocating for a long while is individual responsibility. If somebody plays up on a licensed premises then let's ban them from any licensed premises for a long period of time.
"The Government, certainly with the global financial crisis out there, are desperate for money. Instead of fining people $200, $300 - which for a lot of people these days they don't care about - let's fine them $5,000 or $10,000 and say how serious we are.
"I mean, we're saying these are serious offences, we've all had enough of it but the legislators don't seem to want it."
Mr Titman says if Queensland continues banning things from pubs and clubs people will just stay away from them and so will the tourists.
Published in ABC News on 28 January.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/28/2804269.htm?section=justin
Big Surfers nightclub planned
Plans for the Gold Coast's biggest nightclub have been unveiled in a bid to spruce up Surfers Paradise's nightclub precinct.
Gold Coast developer Elvio Pugliese has revealed his intention to build a 1100sqm club in the heart of Surfers Paradise and attract an international entity such as Planet Hollywood.
A conceptual plan is before the Gold Coast City Council to transform the first floor and front facade of 21 Orchid Avenue into a landmark club that would attract high-flyers staying at the soon-to-be completed Hilton Hotel.
The space above Club 21 is leased as office space and was occupied by Opal Duty Free from 1993 to 2006.
Mr Pugliese, who owns multiple properties in Orchid Avenue, said he intended the venue to become a classy hot spot for celebrities and 'neutralise the stigma' of Surfers Paradise nightclubs.
"There is a bright future ahead of Surfers Paradise and I hope this venue will prove to be a catalyst for positive change," he said.
The plans propose a massive renovation of the 21 Orchid Avenue building to create a geometric facade complete with waterfall, light show and lift access from the street to the new club.
Inside, the roof would be raised 2.6m to accommodate a stage area for cabaretstyle performances, two wet bars and a VIP lounge.
The application also proposes extending a slab across the existing laneway between 21 Orchid Avenue and 19 Orchid Avenue -- home to Hollywood Showgirls.
If approved, this would increase the club's width and create a total floor space of 1100sqm.
The redevelopment plan has caused a stir in Surfers Paradise. A group calling themselves 'Surfers Paradise consumers' fear another club on Orchid Avenue will only increase bad behaviour.
They put out a public plea via an ad in the Weekend Bulletin for people to complain to the council, however a representative did not return calls yesterday.
Area councillor Susie Douglas has previously supported a cap for nightclub development in the area with 15 venues already operating in Surfers Paradise.
But she said any move to clean up the precinct and attract high-end clientele was welcome.
"The number of nightclubs in Surfers Paradise is a real issue and I think we're just about at saturation point," she said.
"However I think this club might be a cut above the usual and if it encourages people to dress up and behave themselves then it can only be a good thing for the area."
The application is expected to come before council during March.
Published in Gold Coast News 1 February.
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2010/02/01/183841_gold-coast-news.html
Barmaid given $500,000 over bullying boss
A barmaid was awarded more than $500,000 in damages after she was subjected to a campaign of workplace harassment and bullying by her boss at a Sydney bowling club.
Carol Anne Bailey suffered ''mental trauma'' and is now incapable of working after the treatment by her supervisor at the Peakhurst Bowling and Recreation Club.
In his judgment, District Court Judge Leonard Levy said the 52-year-old mother of two suffered severe psychological injury and was now a recluse as a result of ''harassment, intimidation and bullying'' behaviour by her supervisor, Tony Riley, between 2004 and 2006.
Mr Riley, who had a cleaning contract with the club, was also its chairman. He no longer holds any position there.
''Although liability was admitted, the defendant [the club] did not call Mr Riley to give evidence on the critical matters described by the plaintiff in her evidence,'' Judge Levy said.
He also found that Mr Riley repeatedly told Mrs Bailey her job was precarious and that the club would ''get rid of her''.
''Mr Riley also used extremely vulgar language both directly to her and in her presence. He also placed her in untenable situations where, as her direct supervisor, he pressured her … to bend or break the liquor licensing rules regarding the service of alcohol, gaming and accounting for her sales.
''He also demanded that she resign her membership of the trade union to which she legitimately belonged.''
Judge Levy said Mr Riley's behaviour was noticed by a club patron who advised Mrs Bailey to keep a diary, and that other patrons and staff had complained about his treatment of Mrs Bailey, whose shifts were changed unexpectedly and her pay reduced.
He said Mr Riley also ''wrongfully implied that she was responsible for a $2000 shortage in the cash float when in fact there was no such shortage''.
Judge Levy said evidence was given that the club was in ''dire financial straits'' and might have to close.
In awarding Mrs Bailey damages totalling $507,550, Judge Levy said this included $334,305 in lost future earnings.
Published in Sydney Morning Herald 31 January.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/barmaid-given-500000-over-bullying-boss-20100130-n5hl.html
Gold Coast developer Elvio Pugliese has revealed his intention to build a 1100sqm club in the heart of Surfers Paradise and attract an international entity such as Planet Hollywood.
A conceptual plan is before the Gold Coast City Council to transform the first floor and front facade of 21 Orchid Avenue into a landmark club that would attract high-flyers staying at the soon-to-be completed Hilton Hotel.
The space above Club 21 is leased as office space and was occupied by Opal Duty Free from 1993 to 2006.
Mr Pugliese, who owns multiple properties in Orchid Avenue, said he intended the venue to become a classy hot spot for celebrities and 'neutralise the stigma' of Surfers Paradise nightclubs.
"There is a bright future ahead of Surfers Paradise and I hope this venue will prove to be a catalyst for positive change," he said.
The plans propose a massive renovation of the 21 Orchid Avenue building to create a geometric facade complete with waterfall, light show and lift access from the street to the new club.
Inside, the roof would be raised 2.6m to accommodate a stage area for cabaretstyle performances, two wet bars and a VIP lounge.
The application also proposes extending a slab across the existing laneway between 21 Orchid Avenue and 19 Orchid Avenue -- home to Hollywood Showgirls.
If approved, this would increase the club's width and create a total floor space of 1100sqm.
The redevelopment plan has caused a stir in Surfers Paradise. A group calling themselves 'Surfers Paradise consumers' fear another club on Orchid Avenue will only increase bad behaviour.
They put out a public plea via an ad in the Weekend Bulletin for people to complain to the council, however a representative did not return calls yesterday.
Area councillor Susie Douglas has previously supported a cap for nightclub development in the area with 15 venues already operating in Surfers Paradise.
But she said any move to clean up the precinct and attract high-end clientele was welcome.
"The number of nightclubs in Surfers Paradise is a real issue and I think we're just about at saturation point," she said.
"However I think this club might be a cut above the usual and if it encourages people to dress up and behave themselves then it can only be a good thing for the area."
The application is expected to come before council during March.
Published in Gold Coast News 1 February.
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2010/02/01/183841_gold-coast-news.html
Barmaid given $500,000 over bullying boss
A barmaid was awarded more than $500,000 in damages after she was subjected to a campaign of workplace harassment and bullying by her boss at a Sydney bowling club.
Carol Anne Bailey suffered ''mental trauma'' and is now incapable of working after the treatment by her supervisor at the Peakhurst Bowling and Recreation Club.
In his judgment, District Court Judge Leonard Levy said the 52-year-old mother of two suffered severe psychological injury and was now a recluse as a result of ''harassment, intimidation and bullying'' behaviour by her supervisor, Tony Riley, between 2004 and 2006.
Mr Riley, who had a cleaning contract with the club, was also its chairman. He no longer holds any position there.
''Although liability was admitted, the defendant [the club] did not call Mr Riley to give evidence on the critical matters described by the plaintiff in her evidence,'' Judge Levy said.
He also found that Mr Riley repeatedly told Mrs Bailey her job was precarious and that the club would ''get rid of her''.
''Mr Riley also used extremely vulgar language both directly to her and in her presence. He also placed her in untenable situations where, as her direct supervisor, he pressured her … to bend or break the liquor licensing rules regarding the service of alcohol, gaming and accounting for her sales.
''He also demanded that she resign her membership of the trade union to which she legitimately belonged.''
Judge Levy said Mr Riley's behaviour was noticed by a club patron who advised Mrs Bailey to keep a diary, and that other patrons and staff had complained about his treatment of Mrs Bailey, whose shifts were changed unexpectedly and her pay reduced.
He said Mr Riley also ''wrongfully implied that she was responsible for a $2000 shortage in the cash float when in fact there was no such shortage''.
Judge Levy said evidence was given that the club was in ''dire financial straits'' and might have to close.
In awarding Mrs Bailey damages totalling $507,550, Judge Levy said this included $334,305 in lost future earnings.
Published in Sydney Morning Herald 31 January.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/barmaid-given-500000-over-bullying-boss-20100130-n5hl.html
Uni student Tyron Krost wins 2010 Aussie Millions Poker Championship
A 23-year-old university student from Sydney has become a multi-millionaire literally overnight after a shock win at one of the world's biggest poker tournaments.
The Daily Telegraph reports Tyron Krost came from nowhere to knock out 746 other players and win Crown Casino's 2010 Aussie Millions Poker Championship, pocketing a cool $2 million prize.
But his biggest luck was simply competing in a tournament he very nearly decided not to enter.
After taking a year off poker to focus on his studies at UNSW, Krost entered the showdown via a satellite tournament he was dragged to by a friend after other plans fell through.
"I was looking for something else to do that night," he said.
Now after a marathon 13 hour all-night sitting, Krost stunned the poker world - and himself.
Published in The Daily Telegraph 1 February.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/uni-student-tyron-krost-wins-2010-aussie-millions-poker-championship/story-e6freuzr-1225825412006
The Daily Telegraph reports Tyron Krost came from nowhere to knock out 746 other players and win Crown Casino's 2010 Aussie Millions Poker Championship, pocketing a cool $2 million prize.
But his biggest luck was simply competing in a tournament he very nearly decided not to enter.
After taking a year off poker to focus on his studies at UNSW, Krost entered the showdown via a satellite tournament he was dragged to by a friend after other plans fell through.
"I was looking for something else to do that night," he said.
Now after a marathon 13 hour all-night sitting, Krost stunned the poker world - and himself.
Published in The Daily Telegraph 1 February.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/uni-student-tyron-krost-wins-2010-aussie-millions-poker-championship/story-e6freuzr-1225825412006
NSW gambling's record lotteries profits
NSW residents tried to gamble their way out of the global financial crisis, producing record profits for the soon-to-be-privatised NSW Lotteries.
State Government figures show a record $1327.62 million worth of Lotto, Powerball, Scratchie, Oz Lotto and Lottery tickets were sold last financial year - $100 million more than in previous years.
Despite the volume of sales, however, fewer punters became millionaires than in previous years - 63 punters last year, down from 69 in 2008.
The total prize money given out also declined, from $754.42 million in 2007-08 to $738.06 million in 08-09.
NSW Lotteries chief executive officer Nick Nichles said sales during the economic downturn exceeded all expectations. NSW Lotteries, which the State Government plans to sell this year, had cautioned that sales records set in 2008 were not expected to be repeated for many years, but the corporation made $19 million more than it had anticipated last year.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
.End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
"Happily, we did it all over again in 2009, only on an even bigger scale," Mr Nichles said.
He said the sales target had been $1160 million. Mr Nichles had received a $30,500 performance bonus as part of his $216,208 remuneration package for the result.
The biggest winner was the State Government, which reaped record revenue from the sales frenzy.
The figures show NSW Treasury collected $402.4 million in taxes and duty, up $41 million from last year.
Punters also bet on the races in record amounts last year, with NSW TAB turnover to exceed all records.
Racing industry sources indicated if current levels of betting activity were sustained until the end of the 2008-09 financial year, NSW TAB turnover on thoroughbred racing was expected to exceed $5 billion for the first time.
Turnover was $4.7 billion last year.
For the first time in a decade, NSW turnover has outstripped rises in Victorian TAB betting.
The revenue windfall has triggered calls from the NSW Greens for Premier Kristina Keneally to direct the windfall to transport and health.
NSW Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said the funds should be returned to the community.
"Premier Keneally should ensure this money, which has fallen in the Government's lap like manna from heaven, is earmarked for essential services like public transport and health," she said. "The Government has picked up this multi-million-dollar revenue boost from luck, not good management.
"Now, the challenge is with the Premier to use it wisely."
A spokeswoman for NSW Treasurer Eric Roozendaal said the State Government would announce the successful tender to take over NSW Lotteries in the next few months.
"Short-listed proponents are currently performing their due-diligence process," she said.
The financial result was helped by NSW Lotteries putting some of its products online to make it easier for punters in remote and regional areas to gamble.
The corporation is planning to expand the type of bets people can make online this year.
Published in The Sunday Telegraph 1 February.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw-gamblings-record-lotteries-profits/story-e6freuy9-1225825012367
State Government figures show a record $1327.62 million worth of Lotto, Powerball, Scratchie, Oz Lotto and Lottery tickets were sold last financial year - $100 million more than in previous years.
Despite the volume of sales, however, fewer punters became millionaires than in previous years - 63 punters last year, down from 69 in 2008.
The total prize money given out also declined, from $754.42 million in 2007-08 to $738.06 million in 08-09.
NSW Lotteries chief executive officer Nick Nichles said sales during the economic downturn exceeded all expectations. NSW Lotteries, which the State Government plans to sell this year, had cautioned that sales records set in 2008 were not expected to be repeated for many years, but the corporation made $19 million more than it had anticipated last year.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
.End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
"Happily, we did it all over again in 2009, only on an even bigger scale," Mr Nichles said.
He said the sales target had been $1160 million. Mr Nichles had received a $30,500 performance bonus as part of his $216,208 remuneration package for the result.
The biggest winner was the State Government, which reaped record revenue from the sales frenzy.
The figures show NSW Treasury collected $402.4 million in taxes and duty, up $41 million from last year.
Punters also bet on the races in record amounts last year, with NSW TAB turnover to exceed all records.
Racing industry sources indicated if current levels of betting activity were sustained until the end of the 2008-09 financial year, NSW TAB turnover on thoroughbred racing was expected to exceed $5 billion for the first time.
Turnover was $4.7 billion last year.
For the first time in a decade, NSW turnover has outstripped rises in Victorian TAB betting.
The revenue windfall has triggered calls from the NSW Greens for Premier Kristina Keneally to direct the windfall to transport and health.
NSW Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said the funds should be returned to the community.
"Premier Keneally should ensure this money, which has fallen in the Government's lap like manna from heaven, is earmarked for essential services like public transport and health," she said. "The Government has picked up this multi-million-dollar revenue boost from luck, not good management.
"Now, the challenge is with the Premier to use it wisely."
A spokeswoman for NSW Treasurer Eric Roozendaal said the State Government would announce the successful tender to take over NSW Lotteries in the next few months.
"Short-listed proponents are currently performing their due-diligence process," she said.
The financial result was helped by NSW Lotteries putting some of its products online to make it easier for punters in remote and regional areas to gamble.
The corporation is planning to expand the type of bets people can make online this year.
Published in The Sunday Telegraph 1 February.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw-gamblings-record-lotteries-profits/story-e6freuy9-1225825012367
Aussies 'rather give up sex than grog'
Australians' love affair with grog is so great they'd rather give up sex, their car and their friends than lay off the bottle for a month, a survey shows.
When quizzed by charity FebFast, one in five drinkers said they would prefer to go without sex than booze, while twelve per cent admitted they would ditch their friends over alcohol.
The same number said they'd opt to give up driving for four weeks if they had to choose between their wheels and liquor, and 30 per cent said they would rather toss their mobile phones.
FebFast, which works to highlight the dangers of drugs and alcohol, questioned 1,006 people in the lead-up to a campaign that encourages Australians to give up drinking during February.
And it appears most believe they have the willpower to meet the challenge.
Three quarters of those surveyed said they would be able to stay sober for 28 days.
But others totally snubbed the idea, with one in 20 showing just how much they love a drink by revealing they would rather go without sleep for the entire period than not pick up a bottle.
People aged between 20 and 69, from all states and territories, took part in the online survey, conducted over three days in December.
Published in Brisbane Times 1 February.
http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-national/aussies-rather-give-up-sex-than-grog-20100201-n6zt.html
When quizzed by charity FebFast, one in five drinkers said they would prefer to go without sex than booze, while twelve per cent admitted they would ditch their friends over alcohol.
The same number said they'd opt to give up driving for four weeks if they had to choose between their wheels and liquor, and 30 per cent said they would rather toss their mobile phones.
FebFast, which works to highlight the dangers of drugs and alcohol, questioned 1,006 people in the lead-up to a campaign that encourages Australians to give up drinking during February.
And it appears most believe they have the willpower to meet the challenge.
Three quarters of those surveyed said they would be able to stay sober for 28 days.
But others totally snubbed the idea, with one in 20 showing just how much they love a drink by revealing they would rather go without sleep for the entire period than not pick up a bottle.
People aged between 20 and 69, from all states and territories, took part in the online survey, conducted over three days in December.
Published in Brisbane Times 1 February.
http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-national/aussies-rather-give-up-sex-than-grog-20100201-n6zt.html
More towns facing alcohol restrictions
A BIG drop in assaults, police call-outs and emergency hospital admissions in Halls Creek has made Western Australia's government more determined to support alcohol restrictions in the remote town once described as the Gaza Strip of the Kimberley.
And the Barnett government is preparing for the possibility of restrictions being rolled out in other Kimberley towns if the Director of Liquor Licensing, Barry Sargeant, deems it appropriate.
The first study of the effect of a ban on full-strength takeaway alcohol in Halls Creek is an endorsement of Mr Sargeant's decision last May to make only light beer available as takeaways.
The interim report to be released by the state government today finds police attended 53 per cent fewer incidents in June, July and August last year compared with the same period in 2008.
There was a 30 per cent drop in alcohol-related assaults, a 47 per cent decrease in alcohol-related presentations by Halls Creek residents at the local hospital, and a 68 per cent decrease in the number of presentations at the town's sobering-up shelter, the report found, when it compared the first three months of the ban with the corresponding period in 2008.
The report from the state Drug and Alcohol Office finds the town's visitor centre was busier after the restrictions; there were 260 more sales to tourists between June and August last year compared with the same period in 2008, and the total value of sales increased by 55 per cent.
The ban in Halls Creek was imposed after local indigenous women claimed a generation of children were being given no chance, as local doctors said up to 30 per cent of children in the town probably had fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
At the time, Kimberley senior regional pediatrician John Boulton described Halls Creek as the Gaza Strip of the Kimberley and its children as the innocent victims.
The results of the interim report on Halls Creek showed the restrictions should be allowed to continue, said Mental Health Minister Graham Jacobs.
"The women are saying, `the place is better for our kids now'," he said.
Dr Jacobs said he was working on an alcohol management plan for the Kimberley that would ensure there were adequate government services, including alcohol rehabilitation services, in the event of further restrictions across the region.
"We want to be ready," Dr Jacobs said.
The Halls Creek report echoes some of the findings of a similar report on Fitzroy Crossing, which in 2007 became the first West Australian town where full-strength takeaway alcohol was permanently banned.
In the year after the ban, there was a 36 per cent reduction in alcohol-related presentations at the Fitzroy Crossing hospital
Violent venues in Queensland could be named and shamed
QUEENSLAND'S privacy watchdog has called for the "most violent licensed premises" to be named and shamed and new security technology to be safeguarded.
The federal Information Commissioner is investigating whether fingerprint scanning proposed at Brisbane nightclubs is lawful, while its state counterpart wants the Government to follow the lead of NSW, which publishes a list of venues with the most violent incidents.
"This has been credited for a downturn in the number of reported incidents," Queensland Information Commissioner Julie Kinross said in a submission to the parliamentary inquiry investigating measures to curb alcohol-fuelled violence.
"The NSW Police Commissioner Mr David Owens considers that a combination of tougher police enforcement of incidents, restrictions on opening hours and the 'shaming' of pubs by publicly listing their assault rates has had a significant effect on the number of incidents."
Federal Information Commissioner Karen Curtis is investigating whether fingerprint and ID scanning is lawful after Brisbane nightclub kingpin Lou Bickle's plans to use it to ban problem patrons.
Queensland Police Service has welcomed the use of ID scanners, saying they provide great assistance in tackling booze-related crime.
Mr Bickle said new ID scanning technology had already been installed at the Empire Hotel and Family and Bunk nightclubs. However, he said he was "holding off" on introducing fingerprint scanners such as the one at Options Tavern in Helensvale at this stage.
Ms Kinross said she was concerned ID scanning, fingerprinting and CCTV surveillance in licensed premises compromised individual privacy.
"There is a near certainty that abuses will occur in respect to licensed premises' extensive library of patrons' personal information," she said.
HopgoodGanim Lawyers senior associate Michael Morris warned licensed venues collecting personal information to make sure details were only used for security.
"Misusing this information could mean the venue is in breach of the Privacy Act, which can result in harsh penalties," he said.
The State Government will consider recommendations
Published in Courier Mail 31 January.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26658003-3102,00.html
And the Barnett government is preparing for the possibility of restrictions being rolled out in other Kimberley towns if the Director of Liquor Licensing, Barry Sargeant, deems it appropriate.
The first study of the effect of a ban on full-strength takeaway alcohol in Halls Creek is an endorsement of Mr Sargeant's decision last May to make only light beer available as takeaways.
The interim report to be released by the state government today finds police attended 53 per cent fewer incidents in June, July and August last year compared with the same period in 2008.
There was a 30 per cent drop in alcohol-related assaults, a 47 per cent decrease in alcohol-related presentations by Halls Creek residents at the local hospital, and a 68 per cent decrease in the number of presentations at the town's sobering-up shelter, the report found, when it compared the first three months of the ban with the corresponding period in 2008.
The report from the state Drug and Alcohol Office finds the town's visitor centre was busier after the restrictions; there were 260 more sales to tourists between June and August last year compared with the same period in 2008, and the total value of sales increased by 55 per cent.
The ban in Halls Creek was imposed after local indigenous women claimed a generation of children were being given no chance, as local doctors said up to 30 per cent of children in the town probably had fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
At the time, Kimberley senior regional pediatrician John Boulton described Halls Creek as the Gaza Strip of the Kimberley and its children as the innocent victims.
The results of the interim report on Halls Creek showed the restrictions should be allowed to continue, said Mental Health Minister Graham Jacobs.
"The women are saying, `the place is better for our kids now'," he said.
Dr Jacobs said he was working on an alcohol management plan for the Kimberley that would ensure there were adequate government services, including alcohol rehabilitation services, in the event of further restrictions across the region.
"We want to be ready," Dr Jacobs said.
The Halls Creek report echoes some of the findings of a similar report on Fitzroy Crossing, which in 2007 became the first West Australian town where full-strength takeaway alcohol was permanently banned.
In the year after the ban, there was a 36 per cent reduction in alcohol-related presentations at the Fitzroy Crossing hospital
Violent venues in Queensland could be named and shamed
QUEENSLAND'S privacy watchdog has called for the "most violent licensed premises" to be named and shamed and new security technology to be safeguarded.
The federal Information Commissioner is investigating whether fingerprint scanning proposed at Brisbane nightclubs is lawful, while its state counterpart wants the Government to follow the lead of NSW, which publishes a list of venues with the most violent incidents.
"This has been credited for a downturn in the number of reported incidents," Queensland Information Commissioner Julie Kinross said in a submission to the parliamentary inquiry investigating measures to curb alcohol-fuelled violence.
"The NSW Police Commissioner Mr David Owens considers that a combination of tougher police enforcement of incidents, restrictions on opening hours and the 'shaming' of pubs by publicly listing their assault rates has had a significant effect on the number of incidents."
Federal Information Commissioner Karen Curtis is investigating whether fingerprint and ID scanning is lawful after Brisbane nightclub kingpin Lou Bickle's plans to use it to ban problem patrons.
Queensland Police Service has welcomed the use of ID scanners, saying they provide great assistance in tackling booze-related crime.
Mr Bickle said new ID scanning technology had already been installed at the Empire Hotel and Family and Bunk nightclubs. However, he said he was "holding off" on introducing fingerprint scanners such as the one at Options Tavern in Helensvale at this stage.
Ms Kinross said she was concerned ID scanning, fingerprinting and CCTV surveillance in licensed premises compromised individual privacy.
"There is a near certainty that abuses will occur in respect to licensed premises' extensive library of patrons' personal information," she said.
HopgoodGanim Lawyers senior associate Michael Morris warned licensed venues collecting personal information to make sure details were only used for security.
"Misusing this information could mean the venue is in breach of the Privacy Act, which can result in harsh penalties," he said.
The State Government will consider recommendations
Published in Courier Mail 31 January.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26658003-3102,00.html
New laws hit Coast firms
RESTAURANT, cafe and RSL club bosses are being forced to cut workers' hours on the Sunshine Coast because of the extra costs imposed by national workplace laws.
The new legislation has caused some to cut workers' shift lengths, increase prices and consider closing on certain days to avoid paying penalty rates.
The irony is that many smaller hospitality-sector businesses may be forced to shut their doors on what is their busiest trading period – between Friday and Sunday.
Some clubs have been reeling since the introduction on January 1 of the Fair Work Act's National Employment Standards and Modern Awards.
“We have discussed whether it would be viable to open on a Sunday because we don't feel Coast people are prepared to pay the extra money that it would cost,” one Buderim restaurateur said.
“I've been in this industry a long time and I didn't come into it to be a millionaire, but if my lease was up tomorrow, I would happily walk away,'' the restaurant owner, who asked not to be named, said.
“We have to sit down and change shifts for staff and ask ourselves if it is really worth opening on a Sunday.
“But there is no use putting the price up to pay the bills if we are going to lie empty.”
Bosses can apply for transitional arrangements to phase in the new rates of pay in the lead-up to July 1, but current pays should already conform to the NES.
After July 1, new pay rates can be phased in over five annual instalments, but they must also be in line with minimum wage decisions made each year by Fair Work Australia.
Maroochy RSL HR manager Kym Nunan-Squire is working out how the new laws will affect her 170 staff.
Already, shift lengths have been reduced to five hours from six to account for the new requirement that a break of 30 minutes or more be given on shifts longer than five hours.
The previous rule was a 10-minute break every six hours.
Ms Nunan-Squire is in the midst of submitting a transitional application to vary the modern award. “It has affected the majority of our staff,” she said.
“And they're understandably anxious.
“But I have explained to them that the award is an organic document and it will evolve. Hang in there and watch this space.”
Specialist workplace law firm Aitken Legal partner Chris Campbell said the past month had been “extremely busy” with inquiries from employers.
He said the most common questions were about correct payment of wages and how to interpret the transactional provisions.
Mr Campbell urged large and small business owners to get better informed.
“For some businesses there will be significant changes to be aware of,” he writes in his Workplace Law column on Page 22.
“For other employers there will be less impact, but no matter what the size or type of business, it is better to assess and know the implications before having to deal with direct contact from, or a complaint made to, the Fair Work Ombudsman.
“In assessing the NES business must check their arrangements with employees to ensure they meet these minimum standards.”
Issued by Sunshine Coast daily 2nd February 2010
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2010/02/02/fair-go-hours-jobs-cut-as-new-laws-bite-new-laws-h/
The new legislation has caused some to cut workers' shift lengths, increase prices and consider closing on certain days to avoid paying penalty rates.
The irony is that many smaller hospitality-sector businesses may be forced to shut their doors on what is their busiest trading period – between Friday and Sunday.
Some clubs have been reeling since the introduction on January 1 of the Fair Work Act's National Employment Standards and Modern Awards.
“We have discussed whether it would be viable to open on a Sunday because we don't feel Coast people are prepared to pay the extra money that it would cost,” one Buderim restaurateur said.
“I've been in this industry a long time and I didn't come into it to be a millionaire, but if my lease was up tomorrow, I would happily walk away,'' the restaurant owner, who asked not to be named, said.
“We have to sit down and change shifts for staff and ask ourselves if it is really worth opening on a Sunday.
“But there is no use putting the price up to pay the bills if we are going to lie empty.”
Bosses can apply for transitional arrangements to phase in the new rates of pay in the lead-up to July 1, but current pays should already conform to the NES.
After July 1, new pay rates can be phased in over five annual instalments, but they must also be in line with minimum wage decisions made each year by Fair Work Australia.
Maroochy RSL HR manager Kym Nunan-Squire is working out how the new laws will affect her 170 staff.
Already, shift lengths have been reduced to five hours from six to account for the new requirement that a break of 30 minutes or more be given on shifts longer than five hours.
The previous rule was a 10-minute break every six hours.
Ms Nunan-Squire is in the midst of submitting a transitional application to vary the modern award. “It has affected the majority of our staff,” she said.
“And they're understandably anxious.
“But I have explained to them that the award is an organic document and it will evolve. Hang in there and watch this space.”
Specialist workplace law firm Aitken Legal partner Chris Campbell said the past month had been “extremely busy” with inquiries from employers.
He said the most common questions were about correct payment of wages and how to interpret the transactional provisions.
Mr Campbell urged large and small business owners to get better informed.
“For some businesses there will be significant changes to be aware of,” he writes in his Workplace Law column on Page 22.
“For other employers there will be less impact, but no matter what the size or type of business, it is better to assess and know the implications before having to deal with direct contact from, or a complaint made to, the Fair Work Ombudsman.
“In assessing the NES business must check their arrangements with employees to ensure they meet these minimum standards.”
Issued by Sunshine Coast daily 2nd February 2010
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2010/02/02/fair-go-hours-jobs-cut-as-new-laws-bite-new-laws-h/
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