Sly grogger fails in licence bid

The operator of a Sydney venue who was fined for selling liquor illegally has had his subsequent application for a liquor licence refused.

The owner of the karaoke business in Eastwood, Sydney, applied for an on-premises liquor licence in April this year, less than 18 months after he was fined a total of $2200 for illegally selling alcohol to patrons.

In December 2010, police found the venue was selling beer to patrons at $5 per can and there were a number of intoxicated people on the premises.

At the time, the owner advised police that he did not apply for a licence because it would cost over $2000 and this was too expensive.

Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) chief executive David Greenhouse said that in spite of the venue owner's expressions of regret and acknowledgement of wrongdoing, the authority was not satisfied he was a fit and proper person to hold a liquor licence.

"Accordingly, the Authority has decided to refuse the application," he said.

Source: The Shout, 8 October 2012