Please visit Liquor Control Victoria’s website for liquor licensing, compliance, and regulatory information.
This page summarises the results of prosecutions for the 2018-2019 financial year.
On 27 June 2019, the accused pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court to selling liquor (on two separate dates) at a restaurant and cafe when not the holder of a liquor licence contrary to section 107(1) of the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 (the Act), and falsely indicating the venue as licensed premises contrary to section 116(a) of the Act.
In handing down a sentence, the magistrate ordered the accused to pay an aggregate fine of $2,000, without conviction, and ordered the accused to pay the VGCCC's costs of $500.
On 6 June 2019, the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court found Kelyon Pty Ltd guilty of, between 21 July 2017 and 8 May 2018, offering liquor for sale while not a licensee, contrary to section 107(1) of the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998.
In her sentencing remarks, the Magistrate noted that the accused pled guilty. The Magistrate ordered the accused to pay $1000 to the court fund and adjourned the matter on good behaviour for 12 months without conviction.
On 7 February 2019, the Dandenong Magistrates' Court found a registered bookmaker (the ‘Bookmaker’) guilty of allowing a minor to gamble, contrary to section 10.7.3(3) of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (the ‘GR Act’).
In sentencing the Bookmaker, the Magistrate noted that the Bookmaker needed to put systems in place to ensure that his employees requested evidence of age from persons appearing to be minors who attempt to place a bet with the Bookmaker.
The Magistrate adjourned the matter on good behaviour for 12 months, without conviction, and ordered the Bookmaker to pay the VGCCC's costs of $324.30.
On 22 September 2017, VGCCC Inspectors attended the Union Hotel, located at 90 Chapel Street in Windsor and detected a breach of the licence condition which required the licensee to maintain a surveillance recoding system able to clearly identify individuals, and provide continuous images of all entrances and exits, bars and entertainment/dance floor areas when live or recorded amplified music other than background music was provided.
The VGCCC alleged that the licensee had supplied liquor not in accordance with its licence contrary to section 108(1)(a)(i) of the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998, as Inspectors.
At the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 26 November 2018, the licensee entered a plea of guilty. The Judicial Registrar imposed a fine against the accused in the sum of $600, without conviction, and ordered the accused to pay the VGCCC’s costs in the sum of $300.
On 21 May 2017 VGCCC Inspectors conducted an inspection at the premises known as Taco Bill at the corner of Corio Street and O’Connell Place, Geelong. The proprietor of the business, Taco 2016 Pty Ltd, was observed selling and offering for sale liquor at the premises whilst not being the holder of a liquor licence, contrary to section 107(1) of the Liquor Control Reform Act.
On 22 August 2018, Taco 2016 Pty Ltd accepted responsibility for this offence at the Geelong Magistrates’ Court and was ordered to enter a Diversion Plan subject to the following conditions:
On 12 August 2017 and 17 May 2018, VGCCC Inspectors attended the premises known as Bay View Bar & Grill in Geelong, operated by Geelong Waterfront Seafood & Grill Restaurant Pty. Ltd. (the Defendant).
On both occasions, VGCCC Inspectors observed liquor sold and offered for sale while the Defendant was not the holder of a valid liquor licence.
The matter was heard at Geelong Magistrates’ Court on 28 August 2018. The Defendant pleaded guilty to two charges of the unlicensed sale of liquor in contravention of Section 107(1) of the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998. The Magistrate ordered that the Defendant pay a fine of $2,500.00, without conviction, and ordered the Defendant pay statutory costs of $124.30 and the VGCCC’s costs of $300.00.
On 10 August 2017, VGCCC Inspectors conducted an inspection at Shop 201T, 220 Spencer Street where the company Ninja Teppanyaki Pty Ltd was trading as a restaurant and was selling liquor without a licence, contrary to section 107(1) of the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998.
On 9 August 2018, Ninja Teppanyaki Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to one count of unlicensed sale of liquor at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court and was fined $500 without conviction and was ordered to pay the VGCCC’s costs of $382.40
On 16 July 2017, VGCCC Inspectors attended the premises known as Cann River Licensed Grocery Store operated by Maddhus Pty Ltd (the Defendant) located at 14 Princes Highway, Cann River 3889 (the Premises) where VGCCC Inspectors observed liquor being sold and offered for sale while the Defendant was not the holder of a liquor licence.
A hearing took place on 18 October 2018 at Orbost Magistrates’ Court which the Defendant did not attend. The VGCCC made application to the Magistrate to determine the matter in the absence of the Defendant. The Magistrate ordered that the Defendant be convicted of the unlicensed sale of liquor pursuant to section 107(1) of the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998. The Magistrate further ordered that the Defendant pay a fine of $4,000, the VGCCC’s costs of $865, plus statutory costs.
