Woolworths granted a change in the liquor licence for Derby supermarket

10/4/97

Racing and Gaming Minister Max Evans warmly welcomed the news that Woolworths had applied for and been granted a change in the liquor licence for its Derby supermarket so that it will not be open on Thursdays.

"This is a very responsible action and I hope that other licensees in Derby will follow suit,"Mr Evans said.

"The public response to the Licensing Court's decision to overturn the previous ban imposed by the Director of Liquor Licensing on the Thursday sale of packaged liquor in Derby shows that this is the sort of responsible action the community wants.

"The ban on Thursday trade in packaged liquor in Derby clearly produced a lot of individual, family, and social benefits and it will be a relief to all of us if the restriction is reimposed voluntarily by all licensees.

"As both the Premier and I have reiterated in recent days, the Government intends to legislate to allow the Director of Liquor Licensing to use such matters as public health and community benefit as the basis for licence restrictions, but in the long run we are all better off when responsible behaviour is undertaken voluntarily rather than by compulsion."

Media contact: Hugh Ryan 481 3244