Wednesday, 18 September 2024 12:46
FORMER RYDE RESTAURANT OWNER FINED $6,000
THE company that operated restaurant Mad Down Under Bar and Grill, North Ryde has been fined $6,000 in the Downing Centre Local Court for selling alcohol illegally following a Liquor & Gaming NSW investigation.
Punia & Sehgal Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to two offences of selling alcohol without a licence following two covert compliance operations that saw 98 bottles of liquor and two kegs of beer seized from the venue.
On sentence, the company was convicted and fined $3,000 for each offence.
The venue applied to Liquor & Gaming NSW for a liquor licence in November 2023, but the application was still awaiting approval when the offences occurred.
Liquor & Gaming NSW officers and NSW Police had issued previous warnings, but the venue continued to sell alcohol without a liquor licence.
The Court found that the defendant was aware of the requirement to be licensed to sell liquor, but did so regardless.
It also found that the general display of liquor at the venue indicated that the two instances of sales to Liquor & Gaming NSW inspectors were probably not isolated.
The company directors told the Court that the company felt pressured to sell alcohol on the first occasion because the North Ryde and other Mad Down Under venues were struggling.
The North Ryde venue and two other Mad Down Under venues in Sydney have since closed.
Liquor & Gaming NSW’s Executive Director Regulatory Operations and Enforcement, Jane Lin, said the fines were a warning to all venues that selling alcohol without a licence in NSW was a serious offence.
“Our inspectors conduct regular covert and overt compliance operations around the state, and anyone caught breaking the law faces fines of up to $11,000 per offence, one year’s jail, or both under the Liquor Act 2007,” Ms Lin said.
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Sunday, 08 September 2024 20:04
HCF PARTNERS WITH SMITH FAMILY
HCF, Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund, has partnered with The Smith Family to support 1,500 disadvantaged students through the Learning for Life program. This three-year collaboration aims to address educational inequality as a key social issue impacting health outcomes. HCF CEO Sheena Jack highlighted the partnership's role in driving societal change and improving long-term health through education. The initiative also involves HCF employees volunteering, emphasizing HCF's commitment to building healthier, more equitable communities across Australia.
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Sunday, 08 September 2024 20:02
OUR UNPAID SUPER BILL TOPS $5B
A NEW report reveals that Australia's unpaid superannuation issue, costing $5B annually, is worsening, depriving millions of workers of crucial retirement savings. The Super Members Council (SMC) urges urgent legislative reform to mandate super payments on payday and strengthen ATO compliance. With $41.6B in unpaid super over nine years, vulnerable groups like women and young workers are most affected. The government has pledged reforms by 2026, but swift action is needed to ensure timely and full super payments.
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