John Payne says the Camden Liquor Accord multi venue barring policy is about creating safe environments for people.
“Candidates are more than just fighting over a girlfriend, it’s one where there is a serious assault, or a person constantly getting into fights over small incidents who is just a menace,’’ says the president of Camden Liquor Accord and licensee at Gregory Hills Hotel.
“It’s someone you don’t want and is not allowed anywhere – barred from one, barred from all.’’
Under the policy there is zero tolerance for violence, drugs, anti-social behaviour or minors illegally in their licensed premises.
Mr Payne says there are just 18 people currently barred under this approach, which was introduced three years ago.
“The biggest message to patrons is you can feel safe coming into our venue, you’re not going to get a fight bump up against you,’’ says Mr Payne.
There are currently 115 participants members in the multi venue barring, which is a lot of places to be barred from if you misbehave.
Participants include any licensed venue – “it can be a restaurant, bottle shop, pub, club, a sporting organisation that has a bar at their oval,’’ says Mr Payne.
The five members on the barring committee consider candidates to be barred, looking at all the available information, including any CCTV footage, as well as police reports in some cases.
“When we come up with a decision to bar someone, the information is sent to all members of the group, saying, OK this is the latest barring,’’ Mr Payne said.
There is a right of appeal after 12 months for anyone barred.
Mr Payne says that while there were “a lot’’ of people barred at the start, the figures are dropping, “because there’s more venues, or licensees, who are more aware of their rights’’.
“You go back 20 years ago, you shove a licensee in there and he was just there for customer service,’’ he says.
“Whereas I need to know the Liquor Act, nearly back to front, not just for my own safety, but the safety of my patrons.’’
Camden Liquor Accord is a body of licensed premises formed to address – in partnership with local businesses, councils, police, and other community groups – alcohol-related issues such as anti-social behaviour and violence.
They meet every three months to discuss a wide range of issues in a combined effort to improve safety at their venues, reduce alcohol related crime, and multi venue barrings.
“This allows members to discuss and share information on alleged troublemakers and apply multi-venue bans on them, rather than having each business act in isolation,’’ Mr Payne said.