Your views on the transport plan for South Australia and claims that the casino development was unnecessarily delayed, and the Palace nightclub responds to our report about alcohol-related incidents.
BILL MOODY, DBH COMMERCIAL LAWYERS, FOR PALACE GALLERY: In response to the InDaily article published on 24 October 2013: On 31 January 2013 SAPOL applied to the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner to vary the conditions on the licence of the Palace Gallery together with 12 other venues pursuant to section 43 of the Liquor Licensing Act to include changes such as a lock out at 2am.
The application was not based on or supported by any specific allegation or incident occurring at the Palace premises or any of the other premises but was supported by various documents including an affidavit of Sgt Beaumont and an unsigned affidavit of Senior Constable Fullston which included hearsay and opinion evidence unrelated to the Palace premises or Hindley Street in general.
The application was to be heard by the Commissioner but was referred to the Licensing Court as the Palace Gallery had obtained legal advice that the application was an “abuse of process”. The application in respect to the Palace Gallery was then referred to the Licensing Court as a test case to determine whether the application was an abuse of process.
The court found that the application in respect to the Palace Gallery was not an abuse of process and the Palace Gallery matter has been referred back to the Commissioner.
At this point in time there has been no new date given for a hearing before the Commissioner, nor has there been any other applications heard by the Commissioner in respect to the other venues.
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InDaily has reported on various allegations against the Palace, including that the venue has the highest record of alcohol related incidents in the State.
The information provided by SAPOL supporting its application does not contain any information to support such a claim or to support the imposition of the licence conditions which are sought. The Palace Gallery disputes the veracity of the information provide (sic) as it is mostly hearsay and opinions which have not been tested or proven in court in any way.
The affidavits were not tendered to the court (even though the Judge has by consent read to them).
The Palace Gallery will be disputing the validity of the information when and if the matter does come before the Commissioner and/or the court.
Whilst the Palace does not deny there has been the occasional incident at its premises, it is no more frequent than at any licensed night club venue in South Australia.
The Palace is acutely aware of its obligations to comply with the health and safety of its patrons. It is a very popular venue and accordingly substantial resources are put in to ensure compliance will all of its obligations.
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PETER BARNHURST: In response to Tom Richardson’s article (The fast train to oblivion, InDaily, 25 October 2013) – typical Adelaidean media’s carping negativity. Probably best if all local media stuck with what they are good at … inserting themselves into the political fray.
Tom might consider the following: 1)Rail extension to Seaford 2) Mitsubishi site redevelopment 3) Southern Expressway duplication 4) electrification of the Noarlunga line 5) New Royal Adelaide Hospital 6) Convention Centre extension 7) Bridge over the Torrens and 8) Adelaide Oval development.
This in a city of about one million people with an unbelievable 12+ local councils wasting our monies. And not forgetting State Government’s responsibilities for several main regional centres.
Talk about a city of moaners.
CAROL FAULKNER: Oh, boo-hoo. So the Casino had to wait five years for its $300 million expansion to be approved (Business leader slams Casino deal delay, InDaily, 25 October 2013). That’s one way of looking at it.
It takes two to tango and I’m sure negotiations with the State Government over tax rates and gaming/licensing regulations would have concluded much sooner if the Casino hadn’t held out for more lucrative returns.
Real tears should be saved for the families devastated by gambling addiction – an unfortunate by-product of the Casino’s business. As a society we should expect the government to minimise that harm and not focus purely on the dollar signs.
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