The 3am lockout will remain in place and other measures to better protect both patrons and staff in venues open beyond 2am will be considered following a review into South Australia’s Late Night Trading Code of Practice.
South Australia’s Liquor and Gambling regulator, Consumer and Business Services, consulted extensively with both liquor licence holders, industry bodies and the broader community in considering the effectiveness of the Code.
Commissioner for Liquor and Gambling Dini Soulio said data provided by authorities indicated that the Code had been successful in reducing the level of alcohol-related harm and anti-social behaviour around the CBD.
“Alcohol-related presentations to the Royal Adelaide Hospital have more than halved since 2015, while offences in the CBD committed between midnight and 7am on a Saturday and Sunday remain significantly lower now than in 2015,” he said.
“And while some of this can be attributed to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it still indicates that the Code is helping keep people safe in the CBD.
“I appreciate industry members have concerns about the lockout, and I will keep working with them to see what can be done to alleviate some of their concerns, but the fact is the lockout is backed by key agencies responsible for health and public safety, as well as community groups.”
In addition to retaining the 3am lockout, the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner is proposing to ban the sale of shots after 2am, bringing the rule into line with the existing prohibition on the sale of shooters, doubles and laybacks.
The Liquor and Gambling Commissioner will clarify that drink marshals can intervene when patrons are behaving unacceptably.
“There was strong support from the broader community for the retention of drink marshals, and this will ensure they have clear guidance on their role in managing anti-social behaviour and protecting both patrons and staff,” Mr Soulio said.
“Importantly, we will also consider the expansion of Responsible Service of Alcohol training to include Bystander Intervention Training.”
The Liquor and Gambling Commissioner will also seek to re-establish the Adelaide Liquor Accord, a body which brings together liquor licence holders, SA Police, Health, the City of Adelaide Council and other relevant organisations to discuss further issues relating to the Late Night Trading Code of Conduct
The changes are due to come into effect at the start of November.
The proposed amendments to the Late Night Trading Code of Practice, the Outcome Report and written submissions received can be found at https://www.cbs.sa.gov.au/codereport.
