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LIQUOR CONTROL REFORM ACT 1998

Table of Provisions

PART 1--PRELIMINARY

  • 1 Purpose  
  • 2 Commencement  
  • 3 Definitions  
  • 3A What is amenity?  
  • 3AA Evidence constituting detraction from or detriment to amenity of area  
  • 3AB What is intoxication?  
  • 3AC Who is an associate?  
  • 3B Where supply occurs if off-premises request made  
  • 4 Objects  
  • 5 Liquor Control Advisory Council  
  • 6 Act not to apply in certain cases  
  • 6A Exemption from Act—bed and breakfast businesses  
  • 6B Exemption from Act—florist or giftmaker  
  • 6C Exemption from Act—hairdressers  
  • 6D Exemption from Act—butchers  
  • 6E Exemption from Act—hospitals  
  • 6F Exemption from Act—residential care services  
  • 6G Exemption from Act—retirement villages  
  • 6H Exemption from Act—cruise ships  

PART 2--LICENCES AND BYO PERMITS

Division 1--Categories of licences and permits

  • 7 What are the categories of licences and permits that may be issued under this Act?  
  • 8 General licence  
  • 9 On-premises licence  
  • 9A Restaurant and cafe licence  
  • 10 Club licence  
  • 11 Packaged liquor licence  
  • 11A Late night licence  
  • 11B Remote seller's packaged liquor licence  
  • 12 Pre-retail licence  
  • 13 Producer's licence  
  • 14 Limited licence  
  • 14A Major event licence  
  • 14B Determination of major event  
  • 15 BYO permit  
  • 15A ANZAC Day restrictions  
  • 15B Exemptions from ANZAC Day restrictions—Duty free shops and aircraft  
  • 15C Exemptions from ANZAC Day restrictions—Residents and guests  
  • 15D Exemptions from ANZAC Day restrictions—Wineries  
  • 15E Sexually explicit entertainment licence condition—fees  
  • 16 Licence and permit condition—compliance with planning scheme  
  • 17 Licence condition—extended hours  
  • 18 Licence and permit condition—approval of directors  
  • 18B Licence condition—security cameras  
  • 18C Licence conditions—supply of liquor if off-premises request made  
  • 18D Minister may specify additional conditions in relation to supply of packaged liquor  

Division 2--Additional authority of licences

Division 3--Restrictions on grant of licences and BYO permits

  • 22 Certain premises not to be licensed  
  • 24 Further restriction on grant of packaged liquor and late night (packaged liquor) licences  
  • 25 Restrictions on grant of club licences  
  • 26 Restriction on grant of limited licence  
  • 26A Restriction on grant of major event licence  
  • 26B Restriction on the grant of certain licences—approved responsible service of alcohol programs  
  • 26C Approval of responsible service of alcohol programs  

Division 4--Applications for grant, variation, transfer and relocation of licences and BYO permits

  • 27AA Definitions  
  • 27 Who can apply for a licence or BYO permit?  
  • 28 Form of application  
  • 29 Application for variation of licence or BYO permit  
  • 30 Procedure on application for variation by Chief Commissioner or licensing inspector  
  • 31 Application for relocation of licence or BYO permit  
  • 32 Application for transfer of licence or BYO permit  
  • 33 Copy of application to be given to police and local council  
  • 34 Public display of licence application  
  • 35 Advertisement of licence application  
  • 36 Notification of particular persons  
  • 37 Guidelines  

Division 5--Objections

Division 6--Determination of applications

  • 44 Determination of uncontested applications  
  • 47 Determination of contested application  
  • 48 Commission may permit amendments and disregard errors  
  • 49 Licence and BYO permit conditions  
  • 49A Grant, variation or relocation of licence and BYO permit takes effect in certain circumstances  
  • 49B Supply of liquor under licence or BYO permit that is not in effect  
  • 50 Period of licence or BYO permit  
  • 50A Notice of right to use premises as licensed premises  
  • 50B Time transfer of licence or BYO permit takes effect  
  • 50C Notice of right to occupy  
  • 51 Form of licence or BYO permit and endorsements  
  • 52 Copy of licence or BYO permit  
  • 53 Liability of joint and incorporated licensees or permittees and unincorporated clubs  
  • 53A Criminal liability of officers of bodies corporate—accessorial liability  
  • 53B Criminal liability of officers of bodies corporate—failure to exercise due diligence  
  • 53C Criminal liability of officers of bodies corporate—failure to exercise due diligence (evidential burden of proof)  
  • 54 Nominee of licensee or permittee  
  • 55 Transfer of club licence to incorporated association  
  • 56 Concurrent dealing with transfer and relocation  
  • 57 Effect of transfer or relocation  

Division 7--Variation of licence or BYO permit by Commission

Division 7A--Late hour entry declarations

Division 8--Renewal of licences and BYO permits

  • 59 Licence to be renewed within 3 months  
  • 60 Licence renewal after 3 months  
  • 61 Notice of failure to renew licence or BYO permit  
  • 62 Power to owner and others to renew licence  

Division 8A--Cancellation of licence or BYO permit at request of owner or mortgagee

Division 9--Surrender and lapse of licence or BYO permit

Division 10--Provision of information

  • 66AA Definitions  
  • 66AB Specification of certain licences  
  • 66AC Specification of certain licences as small business licences  
  • 66AD Requirement to provide wholesale information  
  • 66A Information in relation to fees  

PART 3--SPECIAL PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN LICENCES

Division 1--Club licences for amalgamated clubs

  • 67 Application by amalgamated club for a club licence  
  • 68 Objection to grant of licence to amalgamated club  
  • 69 Grant of licence to amalgamated club  
  • 70 Division does not affect Division 4 of Part 2  

Division 2--Casino premises

  • 71 Definitions  
  • 72 Application of Division  
  • 73 Requirements for an application to which this Division applies  
  • 74 Grant of application  

Division 3--Australian Grand Prix

  • 75 Definitions  
  • 76 Application of Division  
  • 77 Requirements for an application to which this Division applies  
  • 78 Objection by Chief Commissioner  
  • 79 Grant of application  

PART 4--AUTHORISATION OF OTHERS TO CARRY ON LICENSED BUSINESS

PART 4A--DEMERITS REGISTER

  • 86AA Definitions  
  • 86A Demerits Register  
  • 86B Commission to record demerit points  
  • 86C Record of day on which offence was committed  
  • 86D Commission must notify licensee or permittee when demerit point is incurred  
  • 86E Automatic suspension of licence or permit if certain number of demerit points incurred  
  • 86F Date of commencement of suspension  
  • 86G Notice of suspension  
  • 86H Minister may suspend, cancel or delay a suspension  
  • 86HA Demerit points automatically removed on transfer of licence or permit  
  • 86I Commission may remove demerit points of transferee who has relevant relationship  
  • 86IA Reinstatement of removed demerit points in the Register  
  • 86IB Notice of proposed reinstatement of demerit points and determination  
  • 86J Demerit point automatically deducted after 3 years  
  • 86K Commission may publish details of licences and permits  

PART 6--INQUIRIES AND DISCIPLINARY PROVISIONS

Division 1--Disciplinary action against licensee or permittee

  • 90 Definitions  
  • 91 Inquiry into whether there are grounds to take disciplinary action  
  • 92 Licensee or permittee to be given notice of any inquiry under this Division  
  • 92A Other interested persons to be given notice of any inquiry under this Division  
  • 93 Commission's determination following inquiry into existence of grounds for disciplinary action  
  • 93A Disciplinary action that is a cancellation, suspension or variation of licence or permit  
  • 93B Disciplinary action that is a fine  
  • 93C Disciplinary action that is a letter of censure  
  • 93D Disqualification  
  • 93E Endorsement of licence or permit by Commission  

Division 2--Licence or permit cancellation or suspension in other circumstances

Division 3--Effect of suspension

  • 97 Effect of suspension of licence or permit  

Division 4--Breach notices

PART 7--OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS, MORTGAGEES, LICENSEES AND PERMITTEES

PART 7A--BARRING ORDERS

PART 8--OFFENCES AND ENFORCEMENT

Division 1--General offences

Division 1A--Restrictions on the supply of liquor and other alcoholic products

  • 118A Restrictions on retail supply of alcohol‑based food essences  
  • 118B Regulations prohibiting supply of classes of liquor  

Division 2--Underage drinking

Division 3--Investigatory powers

  • 125A Application of powers conferred on protective services officers under this Division  
  • 126 Power to demand suspected minor to give his or her age  
  • 127 Seizure of evidence of age document  
  • 128 Seizure of liquor from minors  
  • 129 Right of entry  
  • 130 Powers of authorised persons  
  • 130A Power to require names and addresses  
  • 130B Search warrants  
  • 130C Announcement before entry  
  • 130D Copy of warrant to be given to occupier  
  • 130E Offences relating to obstruction of authorised persons  
  • 130F Protection against self-incrimination  
  • 131 Power to seize liquor in certain cases  
  • 132 Police to assist if person asked to leave premises  
  • 133C Access to seized documents  
  • 133D Use of equipment to examine or process documents  
  • 133E Use or seizure of electronic equipment at premises  

Division 3A--Undertakings by licensees

Division 3B--Injunctive relief

  • 133H Injunctions to restrain conduct  
  • 133I Injunctions to do an act or thing  
  • 133J Interim injunctions  
  • 133K Power to rescind or vary injunctions  
  • 133L Undertakings as to damages and costs  

Division 4--Legal proceedings

  • 134 Presumption as to holder of licence or permit  
  • 135 Averments  
  • 136 Sufficient evidence of certain matters  
  • 137 Copies of certain documents  
  • 138 Property forfeited  
  • 139 Concurrent proceedings  
  • 140 Notice of conviction  

Division 5--Infringement notices

Division 6--Liquor accords

  • 146A Definitions  
  • 146B Liquor accord terms  
  • 146C Competition and Consumer Act and Competition Code  
  • 146D Information disclosure in relation to liquor accord bans  
  • 146DA Licensee or permittee must not disclose confidential information  
  • 146DB Licensee or permittee may consult with police in relation to liquor accord  

Division 7--Advanced RSA programs

PART 8A--BANNING NOTICES AND EXCLUSION ORDERS

Division 1--Designated areas

Division 2--Banning notices

Division 3--Exclusion orders

Division 4--General

PART 8B--CLOSURE AND EVACUATION OF LICENSED PREMISES FOR FIRE AND EMERGENCY PURPOSES

Division 1--Preliminary

  • 148S Definitions  

Division 2--Power of entry and inspection

  • 148T Appointment of fire safety inspector  
  • 148U Fire safety inspector's identity card  
  • 148V Production of identity card  
  • 148W Entry and search of certain premises for serious fire threat  
  • 148X Search of premises after entry authorised by any other Act  
  • 148Y Requirement to assist the fire safety inspector during search of certain premises  
  • 148Z Refusal or failure to comply with requirement  
  • 148ZA Offence to refuse entry to a fire safety inspector  
  • 148ZB Offence to give false or misleading information  

Division 3--Closure and evacuation notices

  • 148ZC Advice of fire safety inspector as to serious fire threat  
  • 148ZD Issue of closure and evacuation notice  
  • 148ZE Service of closure and evacuation notice  
  • 148ZF Issue and service of subsequent notice  
  • 148ZG Content of closure and evacuation notice  
  • 148ZH Direction to leave licensed premises  
  • 148ZI Fire safety inspector may request assistance of police  
  • 148ZJ Offence to fail or refuse to comply with a closure and evacuation notice or direction  
  • 148ZK Offence to allow entry  
  • 148ZL Sign must be displayed  
  • 148ZM Injunction to prevent or restrain a contravention  
  • 148ZN Notification of completion of rectification work  
  • 148ZO Inspection by fire safety inspector of rectification work  
  • 148ZP Revocation of closure and evacuation notice and subsequent notice  
  • 148ZQ Giving advice or a decision in writing or orally  

Division 5--General

PART 9--ADMINISTRATION

Division 1--Statements of reasons

  • 149 Request for statement of reasons for decision  
  • 150 Content of statement of reasons and by when they must be given  

Division 2--Internal review

  • 151 Definitions  
  • 152 Reviewable decisions  

Division 6--of Part 2

Division 6--of Part 2

Division 6--of Part 2

Division 6--of Part 2

  • 153 Applications for internal review  
  • 154 Notification of certain persons of application for internal review  
  • 155 Commission on review must not include commissioner who made the reviewable decision  
  • 156 Commission on review must include Chairperson or a Deputy Chairperson  
  • 157 Decisions on internal review  
  • 158 Review of reviewable decisions relating to refusals to grant licence or BYO permit  
  • 159 Review of reviewable decisions relating to late hour entry declarations  
  • 160 Applications for internal review do not affect operation of reviewable decisions  

Division 2A--Compulsory conferences

  • 161 Main purposes of compulsory conference  
  • 162 Commission may refer internal review to compulsory conference  
  • 163 Notice of compulsory conference  
  • 164 Conduct of compulsory conference  
  • 165 Objection to commissioner who conducted compulsory conference being part of Commission on review under Division 2  
  • 166 Failure to attend a compulsory conference  
  • 167 Evidence inadmissible in internal review by Commission  

Division 3--Review by VCAT

  • 169 Application for review of internal review decisions under Division 2 of this Part  
  • 170 Time limit for applying for review  

Division 4--Licensing inspectors

Division 5--Appeals on questions of law

  • 172A Appeal to Supreme Court  

PART 9A--VICTORIAN LIQUOR COMMISSION

Division 1--Establishment, functions and powers

Division 2--Membership of Commission

Division 3--Staffing and delegation

Division 4--Performance and exercise of the Commission's functions and powers

  • 172U Basic requirement  
  • 172V Ministerial directions  
  • 172W How may Commission's functions and powers be performed or exercised?  
  • 172X Meetings and inquiries generally  
  • 172Y Meetings  
  • 172Z Are Commission meetings and inquiries open to the public?  

Division 5--Liquor inspectors

PART 9B--INVESTIGATIONS AND INQUIRIES OF COMMISSION

Division 1--Investigations

  • 172ZE General power of investigation  

Division 2--Inquiries

  • 172ZF Inquiries by Commission  
  • 172ZG Conduct of inquiry  
  • 172ZH Community interest inquiries  
  • 172ZI Procedure for community interest inquiries  
  • 172ZJ Minister may require interim report  
  • 172ZK Final report to be provided to Minister  

PART 10--GENERAL

  • 173 Service of notices and other documents  
  • 174 Extension of time for objections  
  • 175 Application of Gambling Regulation Act 2003  
  • 176 Issue of proof of age cards  
  • 177 Treasurer may make payments  
  • 178 Treasurer may require information  
  • 178A Delegation  
  • 179 Records to be made and kept by certain licensees  
  • 180 Regulations  

PART 11--REPEALS, CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS AND TRANSITIONALS

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