PARLIAMENT OF TASMANIA

Excerpt from Hansard

Tuesday 1st April 2008

Liquor Bill / Launceston Cup

Mr GUTWEIN (Bass) - As we are talking about liquor licensing, I wanted to raise one matter on which I have spoken in this place recently, and that is the current alcohol policy and the way we look at liquor licensing in regard to the Launceston Cup. If we are talking about strengthening the liquor licensing laws we have before us today, it is important that the one event that currently operates in this State which, whilst having a management policy that is put in place each year by the liquor licensing branch in conjunction with the police and the TTC, is still the only event that I think all members of this place would be aware of that still has a BYO policy that enables you to bring through the gate whatever you want and as much of it as you would like.

It is pleasing to note - and I know the minister has a keen interest in this matter - that it has been recently announced that there are to be some changes to the policy. I take this opportunity to commend those parties involved, primarily the TTC but also the Liquor Licensing Branch and the police, in bringing about this change. There will be a phase-out of the BYO policy to 2010, but obviously still allowing alcohol to be taken in and consumed on the leger or in the corporate tents, but they are phasing out some by 2010 of the current 'bring whatever you like and as much of it as you-want' policy that currently exists.

To enlighten members on exactly what I mean by that, members have spoken in this place of seeing people wheel shopping trolleys through the gate, full of cartons of beer. I have not seen that personally, but members in this place have said that that has occurred, so one can only presume that they have witnessed that. This year I witnessed outside a well-known local hotel a group of young people, obviously old enough to drink, exiting the hotel liquor shop, and placing into an esky half a dozen bottles of a very well known brand of bourbon, and placing that on ice. In my mind, and I think in most members' minds here, effectively that esky suddenly becomes trouble in a box.

In the trade we used to say, when I was operating a hotel, that hard liquor will very quickly enable sparrows to fight emus, and I can see another ex-publican in this place nodding his head. When I witnessed that this year, I thought goodness, gracious me, there is a bunch of problems if that type of behaviour is allowed and we allow whatever you want to take into the Cup and as much of it as you want. If we allow that to continue then we are going to have some serious problems.

I began by saying I wanted to commend the TTC and the Liquor Licensing Branch who I have had some professional involvement with over the years, and they have always been very professional in the way they have approached their task. They are, once again, approaching it with a very high duty and responsibility of care. I understand that the position is currently that the TTC is going to take a proposal back to the committee, which includes the police, TOTE, liquor licensing and obviously themselves. I have very grave concerns that if there is a phasing out in 2009 of the policy of BYO there will be some who will see this as an opportunity for one last hurrah at the Launceston Cup. This will be the party to end all parties, and 2009 will be the year.

I have spoken with the TCC. I have had discussions with officers of the Liquor Licensing Branch in relation to this, and I have made the TCC very clearly aware of my concerns that a phasing out of the BYO policy can only end in disaster, because certain elements in society will see this as the last shot in the locker - the last chance, the last hurrah - and with that will come problems.

I have learnt from my time in the trade that in managing events or functions that involve alcohol, it is usually the simplest set of rules that are the easiest to manage or administer. I would like to put on the record my view that, whilst it is pleasing that we are moving towards a more responsible position on the way that alcohol is dealt with at the Launceston Cup, I believe that a phasing in of the ban in 2010 will be problematic during 2009. I would like those involved in making a decision, those that sit on the committee and the TOTE, the police, the Liquor Licensing Branch, and obviously the TCC who will be putting the proposal forward, to very carefully consider how they are going to phase in this program.

It would be much simpler to ensure a sufficient number of outlets selling alcohol on the course. I understand at the moment the TCC runs only three bars. Obviously you would include those and certainly double that figure to ensure that sufficient numbers of bars were available to address some of the issues that have been raised in support of phasing-in policy. If a limited amount of BYO is allowed through the gate in 2009, or if no BYO is allowed through the gate, and people have to rely only on the outlets available on course, on a hot day, lining up for a drink, already with a few in them, people's frustrations may bubble over and there could be crowd control problems - those sorts of issues.

I would much rather see a policy with a sufficient number of outlets on the course, with alcohol being sold at a reasonable price. That could be communicated clearly to the public: that from the middle of this year, alcohol will be sold at reasonable prices on course, to enable people to feel that they are not going to be ripped off, that the current policy, or the policy change to 'no BYO' is not going to significantly disadvantage them; the TCC could then bring in a ban on BYO as it currently stands from 2009.

That would be a much simpler proposition to manage. It would be much safer and, at this stage, the only argument I have heard in relation to support the phasing in is this issue of crowd control on course and access to sufficient outlets. If that is one of the major concerns then simply make certain that there is an appropriate level of access for patrons on course to get a drink if they want and disallow BYO through the gate.

With a limited alcohol policy one can only imagine the security issues at the gate as people are either searched or their bags or eskies are looked into, or however it is managed. A significant security presence would be required with a limited alcohol policy. If people were allowed to bring in half a dozen cans of beer, for example, every patron is going to need to be checked and I think it would be much simpler if the BYO ban was brought in from this year and sufficient outlets were provided on course, sufficiently staffed to ensure none of the crowd issues arose that people have raised concerns about. People should know what the rules were from day one. I would hope that the Liquor Licensing Board and the TTC would look very closely at that.

The one thing that I and I am sure all members do not want to see - nor do the TTC, the police, the Liquor Licensing Board or the TOTE - is for the 2009 Launceston Cup to be used as a last hurrah, that one last party, before the rules change in 2010. Act now, deal with it, make sure patrons can get access on course and let us get on with it.