New legislation allows police to ban repeat alcohol offenders from entering licensed establishments

Police officers will be able to apply for a barring notice to prevent an offender from entering a licensed establishment under amendments to the Liquor Control Act that come into effect on Monday 17 January.

Section 115AA of the Act gives the Commissioner of Police the authority to issue a barring notice to a person who has, within licensed premises:

• Been violent or disorderly;
• Engaged in indecent behaviour; or
• Contravened a provision of any written law.

Licensing Enforcement Divisional Detective Superintendent James Migro, currently the Commissioner’s only delegated authority for issuing barring notices, said offenders could be barred from one establishment, a class of licensed establishment or all licensed establishments for a set period. “Once the amendments come into effect, officers should definitely consider applying for barring notices in circumstances that meet the conditions of Section 115AA,” he said. “It’s particularly suitable for repeat offenders or known troublemakers.”