The South Australian Government has revealed it will not make amendments to liquor licencing permanent, meaning some venues across the state will no longer be able to sell takeaway alcohol.
Amendments to SA’s liquor licences were made as part of the state’s Covid reaction and allowed venues to sell takeaway alcohol, a move the former Marshall Government said it would make permanent, but the new Government has said the amendment will be revoked on 30 June 2022.
Commissioner for Liquor and Gambling, Dini Soulio said: “In March 2020, the State Government permitted holders of certain liquor licence classes including restaurants to apply for a temporary authorisation to sell takeaway liquor with the purchase of a takeaway meal to support business through the pandemic.
“These short term licences expressly stated that the licence only applied until the expiry or revocation of the Emergency Management Direction.
“In recognition that a number of licensees who had the temporary authorisation in place will now need to change their business model, the Liquor & Gambling Commissioner will extend the temporary arrangements for those licensees who hold a short term licence for limited takeaway alcohol with a meal until 30 June 2022.
“Temporary arrangements for restaurants being able to provide takeaway alcohol with a meal will cease at 11.59pm on 30 June.”
Having initially ruled the change would be immediate, the Government has extended the licences until 30 June to help businesses sell existing stocks.
