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Europe steps up its fight against fraud
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Global | Publication | February 29, 2016
Alcohol-fuelled violence has consistently been a hot topic in Australian media in recent times and one which the Queensland Government has indicated it wishes to confront. In order to address the issue, the Attorney – General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Training and Skills, Yvette D’Ath introduced the Tackling Alcohol-Fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (the Legislation) into Parliament in November 2015 as part of an election commitment made by the Palaszczuk Government to address the damage caused to society by alcohol –fuelled violence in Queensland.
Notably, the Legislation sought to reduce allowable extended trading hours for most licensed premises in Queensland, amend the existing lockout provisions under the Liquor Act 1992 (Qld) (the Liquor Act) and introduce the concept of “3 am safe night precincts” (3 am Safe Night Precincts). When the Legislation was first introduced, it received substantial opposition from the hotel and nightclub sectors and the minority Government was unsuccessful in obtaining bipartisan support for the Legislation and the backing of the 3 independent members of Parliament. As a consequence, the general industry consensus was that the legislative changes would not be passed by Parliament.
However, in light of overwhelming public outcry against the most recent senseless death of Cole Miller in Brisbane as a result of a ‘coward punch’, political sentiment swayed and in the early hours of 18 February 2016 the Government struck a last minute deal with Katter’s Australian Party to gain support, and the Legislation was passed by the Queensland Parliament.
This means that from 1 July 2016, licensed venues that are not within a 3 am Safe Night Precinct will call last drinks at 2 am and licensed venues that are within a 3 am Safe Night Precinct, must call for last drinks at 3 am. The only change to the original Bill is that the 1 am lockout imposed on all venues within a 3 am Safe Night Precinct will now come into effect from 1 February 2017, providing these venues with time to transition to their appropriate operating model. The Legislation also removes the link between licensed gaming hours and alcohol consumption hours, however makes no change to the current restriction on gaming before 10 am. As prescribed in the Legislation, these laws will be independently reviewed in July 2018, two years after commencement.
The passing of these changes to licensing laws has come as a shock to licensees, particularly within the hotel industry, which is now grappling with the commercial impact the new legislation will have on licensed venues in Queensland.
Amongst other statutory amendments, the Legislation amends the Liquor Act by:
The Legislation also amends the Gaming Machine Act 1991 (Qld) (the Gaming Act) so that gaming hours and liquor consumption hours are no longer linked. Key changes include:7
Some of the practical consequences of the amendments to the Liquor Act include:
Norton Rose Fulbright is experienced in all aspects of the tourism and entertainment industries. Our comprehensive industry expertise includes a particular strength in liquor licensing, gaming regulations, town planning and property matters. We combine an unrivalled insight into the complex legal requirements of the industry with a real understanding of the commercial and practical aspects of our clients’ ventures. For further information please contact Tom Young or Julie Brown.
Explanatory Notes, Tackling Alcohol-fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (Qld), 2, 24; Tackling Alcohol-Fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (Qld) cl 62.
Tackling Alcohol-fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (Qld) 1RS, 2891; Explanatory Notes, Tackling Alcohol-fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (Qld), 3, 16, 17; Tackling Alcohol-Fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (Qld) cl 29, 54.
Tackling Alcohol-fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (Qld) 1RS, 2891; Explanatory Notes, Tackling Alcohol-fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (Qld), 2; Tackling Alcohol-Fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (Qld) cl 31, 38.
Explanatory Notes, Tackling Alcohol-fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (Qld), 4; Tackling Alcohol-fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (Qld) 1RS, 2892; Tackling Alcohol-Fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (Qld) cl 43, 49.
Explanatory Notes, Tackling Alcohol-fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (Qld), 3 – 4; Tackling Alcohol-fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (Qld) 1RS, 2892; Tackling Alcohol-Fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (Qld) cl 62.
Explanatory Notes, Tackling Alcohol-fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (Qld),13; Tackling Alcohol-fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (Qld) 1RS, 2893; Tackling Alcohol-Fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (Qld) cl 42, 62, 66.
Explanatory Notes, Tackling Alcohol-fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (Qld), 4; Tackling Alcohol-fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (Qld) 1RS, 2892.
Gaming Machine Act 1991 (Qld) s 235; Gaming Machine Regulation 2002 (Qld) reg 15.
Explanatory Notes, Tackling Alcohol-fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (Qld), 3.
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European watchdogs have long been focusing on enforcement against corporate crime with a great focus on anti-corruption, economic sanctions and money laundering.
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The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCC Act) received Royal Assent on 24 May 2024 and is generally expected to come into force in autumn this year.
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Head of Legal Operations, Stephanie Hamon, will be joining the panel discussion on "Simplifying Legal Tech Adoption and Implementation" at the Legal Tech Talk conference on June 13th (3:30 - 4:15 PM).
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