AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

LIQUOR ORDINANCE 1967

Explanatory Memorandum

No. 45 of 1967

	The Liquor Ordinance 1967 amends the Liquor Ordinance 1929-1966 by introducing provisions which will authorise a Licensing Magistrate to issue or renew a liquor licence for a term shorter than twelve months and to determine a corresponding reduction in licensing fees for such shorter periods.

	Under the existing provisions of the Ordinance a liquor licence can be issued or renewed only for a period of one year and even if the licence is used for a shorter time the licence fee is determined on the basis of five per centum of the amount paid or payable for liquor procured during the preceding year or a prescribed minimum fee, whichever is the greater.  The above amendment is being made to provide just terms for persons who require liquor licences for periods of less than one year.

	Owing to the special festive character of New Year’s Eve, it has been decided to permit hotels, restaurants and motels to serve liquor with meals until 1 a.m. on the following day with a period of half an hour’s grace.  This amendment will extend the hours of trading for New Year’s Eve, which were previously restricted to midnight on a week-night and 10 p.m. on a Sunday.

	A mechanical amendment is also being made to the Form of a Motel Licence, set out in the Schedule, so that it complies with other provisions of the Ordinance.

            PN
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Minister’s Initials