SA gov't to apply new liquor laws
The government in South Australia will seek to regulate new liquor laws next week to complement the licensees dealings with drunks.
Starting Monday, people may be able to take home their unfinished bottles of wine from restaurants.
According to Gail Gago, Minister of SA Consumer Affairs, the licensees will also receive a concrete definition of intoxication.
"The new description says that where there is a person whose speech, balance, co-ordination or behaviour appears to be impaired and there's reasonable belief that impairment is due to the consumption of alcohol then they are required by law to refuse the sale or supply of alcohol," she said.
The Minister adds that a patron will be fined if he or she buys or supplies alcohol to an intoxicated person and will be removed from any establishment.
Ms. Gaho said the new laws will also introduce new fines for different offenses so that frequent buyers of alcohol will become responsible in consuming its contents and also make pubs and clubs become safer for the customers.
On the other hand, Hotel Association representative Katherine Taylor is elated with the new law as it is always difficult to refuse some customers who order alcohol even when intoxicated.
"Now with these new provisions we've got some clarification and certainty for licensees and their staff and it makes it easier for them to determine when they should refuse service to a person," she said.
The Minister will also seek to ban alcoholic beverages that appeal to young people.