26 September 2023

Interim licences for takeaway alcohol

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Access Canberra is to offer free three-month commercial liquor permits to more than 100 Canberra restaurants, pubs and licensed premises to help them keep their doors open during the COVID-19 restrictions.

Minister for Business and Regulatory Services, Gordon Ramsay said the initiative would support businesses to stay open by allowing them to sell takeaway alcohol.

“We understand many of our businesses are doing it tough,” Mr Ramsay said.

“As well as financial support, outlined in the Government’s Economic Survival Package, we are also looking at other levers we use across government to enable businesses to diversify their offerings and services.”

Mr Ramsay said Access Canberra would offer licensees with on-liquor licences a free three-month commercial liquor permit to allow liquor for consumption off premises.

He said the initiative had proven popular with the industry with more than 100 businesses either being issued with the permits by Access Canberra or approaching the Business Liaison Team seeking information.

He said another 125 local businesses had contacted the dedicated Business Liaison Line (6205 0900) to receive advice on compliance responsibilities and business diversification.

“The team answering the calls are drawn from across Access Canberra and with support of the Economic Development Directorate,” Mr Ramsay said.

“We are implementing these measures to support local businesses and we continue to encourage the responsible consumption of alcohol,” he said.

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