NSW Fines for Ignoring Legal Orders at Licensed Venues and ID Scanners Removed in Some Areas

24-Hour Economy Legislation Amendment (Vibrancy Reforms) Bill 2023

Legislative Council

Legislative Assembly

Assent

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Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

Licensees, employees and agents face fines of up to 100 penalty units (2026: $11,000) for ignoring a direction under the Gaming and Liquor Administration Act 2007 without a good reason.
Minors can enter or stay in licensed premises if they are employees; they must not be involved in selling or supplying liquor.
The Night-time Economy Secretary must publish guidelines on a NSW Government website explaining how decisions about complaints under the Liquor Act are made.
The Night-time Economy Secretary can now accept enforceable undertakings to resolve issues under the Liquor Act.
People responsible for licensed premises are banned from doing anything that helps another person gamble on the premises.
The law ends the requirement for patron ID scanning and the precinct ID scanner system for patrons in certain nightlife precincts set by regulation.
The Authority can grant extended trading hours for hotels based on specific criteria.
Some small bar licence applicants no longer need to provide a statement about the risk of harm or other potential impacts with their application.

The Debate

What different members said when this bill was debated:

Tim Crakanthorp ALP

“I support the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Bill 2023 and the 24-Hour Economy Legislation Amendment (Vibrancy Reforms) Bill 2023. I thank Minister Graham for introducing the bills and I commend his dedication to live music and night-life in New South Wales. For 12 years the New South Wales night-time economy has been neglected to the point of embarrassment.”

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Michael Regan IND

“I speak in support of the 24-Hour Economy Legislation Amendment (Vibrancy Reforms) Bill 2023. I was considering props and reading this at an RPM speed of 33 1/3, 45 or even 78—I said I was old. During my election campaign, I made very clear my commitment to supporting live music. It is well known that I am a bit of a live music tragic and a part-time Bono and U2 stalker.”

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Paul Scully ALP

“I make a brief contribution to debate on the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Bill 2023 and the cognate 24‑Hour Economy Legislation Amendment (Vibrancy Reforms) Bill 2023. The bills modernise regulation and establish the 24‑Hour Economy Commissioner to drive a vibrant 24-hour economy and to revitalise the live music, entertainment, hospitality and cultural sectors.”

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Jenny Leong GRN

“I speak in debate on the 24‑Hour Economy Legislation Amendment (Vibrancy Reforms) Bill 2023 and the 24‑Hour Economy Commissioner Bill 2023. The bills make several amendments to the Gaming and Liquor Administration Act 2007, the Liquor Act 2007 and the Liquor Regulation 2018, and they seek to increase the vibrancy of the night-time economy.”

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Donna Davis ALP

“I contribute to debate on the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Bill 2023 and the 24-Hour Economy Legislation Amendment (Vibrancy Reforms) Bill 2023. The Minns Labor Government made a key election commitment to restore vibrancy to New South Wales, including through the execution of a significant regulatory reform agenda, by the end of this year.”

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Liesl Tesch ALP

“I contribute to debate on the 24‑Hour Economy Legislation Amendment (Vibrancy Reforms) Bill 2023 and the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Bill 2023. Imagine Gosford as a special entertainment precinct with music in every one of its fabulous venues.”

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David Harris ALP

“I thank the member for Tamworth, who is a big supporter of music and entertainment up there in beautiful Tamworth. I was at the Tamworth Country Music Festival this year. It was excellent.”

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News articles and press releases

24-Hour Economy Legislation Amendment (Vibrancy Reforms) Bill 2023

The Hon. JOHN GRAHAM, Minister for Roads — 2023-10-19

The bill seeks to amend the Gaming and Liquor Administration Act 2007, the Liquor Act 2007 and the Liquor Regulation 2018 and to make consequential amendments to other legislation to increase the vibrancy of the night-time economy, to reward the live performance sector and to allow the use of outdoor public spaces for recreation. It does that by encouraging venue operators to launch, grow, adapt and expand their businesses by modernising regulation and removing unnecessary and outdated regulation, streamlining approval processes and putting in place a commonsense approach to entertainment sound.