Goldfields hotels prohibited from holding bank cards

1/3/02
Premier Geoff Gallop said today the decision by the Director of Liquor Licensing to ban a number of Goldfields hotels from holding credit cards to pay for alcohol sales was right.
Dr Gallop said the practice was undoubtedly contributing to alcohol abuse and vulnerable people were being exploited.
"Alcohol abuse is a significant problem in Aboriginal communities and this Government is putting in a lot of effort to stamp it out," he said.
"This sort of behaviour, where bank cash and credit cards - including PIN numbers - are held by publicans is not on. It is exploitation and the Director of Liquor Licensing is right to outlaw the practice."
The Director of Liquor Licensing said in his findings: "This practice is clearly contrary to the public interest. I am satisfied that the practice contributes to alcohol-related harm and violence in the North East Goldfields Region. Furthermore, the simple fact that a PIN number is provided to a third party, along with a credit card, places that third party in an extreme position of trust. As such, the system is open to abuse by an unscrupulous operator."
The new condition for hotel licences reads: 'The retention of key access or credit cards as collateral for payment for liquor purchased on the licensed premises is prohibited'.
Any breach of the new condition could attract a maximum fine of $5,000.
Premier's office: 9222 9475