The Australian Hotels Association is still carrying on that people had fun at the Multicultural Festival without paying their members for the privilege.
“As the leading voice for hospitality and tourism in the ACT, the AHA-ACT welcomes events and festivals that attract tourists to Canberra and boost the local economy,” AHA-ACT Branch General Manager Brad Watts said.
“But industry does not support an unbalanced, unfair approach to responsible service of alcohol standards. Licensed venues must comply with strict RSA rules and all staff at licensed venues must undergo costly training to gain RSA certificates.
“There can’t be double-standards applied to RSA – there must be a level playing field for alcohol regulation in Canberra.”
AHA-ACT received several reports over the weekend about irresponsible service of alcohol following industry’s call for the annual festival to be ‘alcohol-free’.
“The AHA-ACT was informed that alcohol was allegedly being served to minors and discounted spirits were sold to patrons during the festival – this is unacceptable!” Mr Watts said.
“Industry repeats its call for the festival to be alcohol free if store-holders can’t satisfy the same requirements as all licensees.”
Mr Watts also urged authorities to conduct better consultation with licensed venues in Civic for future events as many licensees were not informed about logistics or security surrounding the festival.
“Safety concerns were also raised by licensees regarding overcrowding and fire safety,” Mr Watts said.
Let’s see, a $90 training fee for a staff member who will put in many months or years of service (most of them only hired if they’ve already completed the useless course) versus a three day community event.
At the end of the day everyone was fine with behaviour at the event. It would be nice if the AHA would come to the party. It’s not as if their members are without sin on the RSA front.
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