Fair Go For Clubs Campaign
In Western Australia, clubs have a long and proud history of being at the very heart of our community.
For decades, the local footy club, RSL and hundreds of other similar community venues have consistently been a safe and friendly place for locals to come together and share life.
WA’s clubs have sometimes been regarded as the “poor cousins” of commercial licensed venues and in terms of raw cash in the bank, that is a fair description. However, those of us who have been part of a great club know that their true value is far removed from loud music, high profits and uncomfortable imported furniture.
Clubs are about community. They are not for profit.
Like their commercial cousins, clubs are there during the good times. But during the bad, when fire, storms and floods leave some in our community without a place to call home, they are often the only willing shelter with doors and arms wide open.
Clubs are, and always have been, proudly for people.
But sadly, the ability to maintain that proud tradition is at risk. Many clubs are heavily burdened by rising costs and an ever-increasing web of red tape that is strangling their ability to adapt.
In 2013, the WA Government commissioned a review into the laws that regulate the sale of liquor. Clubs WA made a substantial submission to the three person committee asking it to recommend a fair go for clubs. The final report to Government early in 2014 all-but ignored our vital requests for a more flexible approach to how clubs are able to provide the services to the community.
Knowing what we know about the value of clubs in WA and what our community stands to lose if the that review forms the basis of legislative change, Clubs WA has created this Fair go for clubs website.
What are the key issues?
Clubs WA made substantial submissions to the liquor licensing review committee addressing a number of important issues for the future of Western Australia's club movement.
While we are continuing to work with Government on all those challenges, the key issues where you can play an important role are:
According to the Department of Racing Gaming and Liquor’s 2012-13 Annual Report on 30 June 2013, there were 979 clubs in Western Australia that had a Liquor License. With a total of around 4,500 licensed premises, that means clubs represent over 20% of all WA’s licensees. We continue to be the largest group of licensees in this state.
And given the fact that clubs have traditionally been formed by communities as a way of bringing together locals with a shared interest, it’s perhaps…. [read more]
When the Committee charged with making recommendations for changes to liquor licensing laws was established in 2013, the Government set its primary purpose as:
“In considering the interest and needs of the West Australian community, the committee is to have particular regard to:‐
- balancing the requirements of consumers for liquor and related services with minimizing harm or ill‐health caused to people or any group of people, due to the use of liquor;
- the interests and needs of persons selling or supplying liquor; and
- the interests and needs of the tourism industry and other hospitality industries in this state.”
During the consultation period, the peak body for clubs in WA… [read more]
A fair go on trading hours and conditions
The final report of the committee that was established in 2013 to review the current liquor licensing laws made the recommendation that hotels, taverns and small bars should be allowed to trade until 12 midnight on any Sunday that is immediately followed by a public holiday. On the public release of the report, there was also substantial commentary suggesting broad community acceptance for an increase in trading hours of those license types on Saturday nights.
While many clubs in Western Australia would choose not to avail themselves… [read more]
How can you help?
We know that a lot of club people in Western Australia are incredibly busy folks. Clubs attract a particular kind of person – someone who typically does their fair share plus a whole lot more in their local community. But we really need your hands on help with standing up for a fair go for our invaluable community-owned resources.
Whether you’re paid or unpaid to support and manage your club, your vocal support will help us deliver a better outcome for you and make sure clubs in WA are able to stay relevant to the changing nature of our communities.
So here are a few ways you can help us get a fair go for your club:
1. Learn about the issues
We have a number of challenges with the recommendations from the liquor licensing review committee, but the key issues can be found here. This site will be readable on computers, smartphones and tablets so bookmark the page and take a thorough read of the issues whenever you get a moment.
2. Sign our petition and spread the word
Click here to sign our petition then tell your friends and colleagues to do the same.
Follow us on Twitter, Like us on Facebook and use the social networking “sharing” buttons on our pages to spread the word to your fellow members and club supporters. You simply can’t tell too many people that clubs deserve a fair go out of this review of the laws that could make or break us into the future.
3. Tell us about what makes you love your club
Share your photos and stories of what makes your club special with us. You can do it on Facebook, Twitter, or by clicking here and completing the easy-to-use form. Your photos, stories and testimonials will help us better explain the true value of clubs to Members of Parliament and other stakeholders as the debate gets closer.
4. Sign up for clubs-only access
As the debate develops, the clubs-only section of our site will contain exclusive information and tools to help you help us. We will provide much more detailed information about what we are lobbying for as well as special tools to help you localise your message and make your communications with decision-makers more powerful. We’ll even provide you with detailed backgrounds and contact details of people you and your club peers can talk to about the need for them to support our combined effort.
If you haven’t already applied for a login, click here and tell us who you are.
Otherwise, if you’ve got any general questions about what we’re doing and why, just send us a message from our Contact page here.
