Austraila - Push to deny permits for outlaw motorcycle clubs...

OFF THE WIRE The acting Western District police chief wants outlaw motorcycle gxxgs and their known affiliates to be denied liquor licence permits, deeming such applicants to be not of ``good character''. Tasmania Police Western District Acting Commander Darren Hopkins said providing a liquor permit to such individuals ``aids them to certain degrees in their criminal activities''. The state government is reviewing liquor laws in Tasmania, including the definition of a ``fit and proper'' person to be granted a liquor licence. Tasmania Police has concerns the advice it provides to liquor authorities on such applicants ``regarding the fit and proper person test is not always taken into account during the licensing decision process'', according to an independent consultant's report, known as the Stenning Report, which is likely to shape liquor law changes. In NSW, a person can be denied a liquor licence if they are a member of, close associate of or regularly associated with an organisation declared to be involved in crime. It is also rejected if the ``circumstances of the person's relationship with the organisation or its members are such that it could reasonably be inferred that improper conduct that would further the criminal activities of the declared organisation is likely to occur if the person is granted a licence''. Inspector Hopkins said police had made their objections known in relation to a number of local liquor permits sought, then granted, to outlaw motorcycle gxxgs and or their affiliates on the Central Coast and at Circular Head, where the number of bikie chapters is on the increase. However, Inspector Hopkins said he appreciated the Liquor and Gaming Branch ``have their hands tied in relation to certain things''. The Liquor and Gaming Branch says there are instances where information supplied by Tasmania Police ``from ongoing cases'' cannot be considered as part of the fit and proper person test. And the Commissioner for Licensing, due to ``procedural fairness'', cannot take into account ``untested evidence''. The Stenning Report has recommended the Commissioner for Licensing publish guidelines of what constitutes a fit and proper liquor licence holder. This option is now under consideration by the state government, which will soon release a discussion paper on proposed changes to liquor laws. Inspector Hopkins said he ``certainly welcomed'' the Stenning Report, but declined to comment on its specific 22 recommendations, or a potential ``three-strikes'' policy triggering a suspension or cancellation for venues that breached their liquor licence several times. On a positive note, he said the regional liquor accords were helping to reduce alcohol-related problems in public places, but less so at entertainment precincts in the South of the state. http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/1727203/push-to-deny-permits-for-outlaw-motorcycle-gangs/?cs=12