Liquor Licensing Act 1990

After receiving an application for a liquor licence the Commissioner shall satisfy himself or herself that the applicant is qualified to hold the licence applied for.

The Commissioner may make such inquiries regarding an application for a liquor licence as the Commissioner considers necessary or expedient for a proper consideration of the application.

Without limiting the generality of subsections (1) and (1A), the Commissioner may – forward a copy of an application for a liquor licence to the Commissioner of Police; and request the Commissioner of Police to provide a report as to whether, in the opinion of the Commissioner of Police – the applicant is a fit and proper person to be a licensee; and any associate of the applicant who is a natural person and likely to have any influence over the management of the business to be carried on under the licence is a fit and proper person to be an associate of a licensee.

If the Commissioner is satisfied that an applicant for a liquor licence is qualified under section 22 to hold the licence, the Commissioner – is to consider the application; or if of the opinion it is in the public interest to refer the application to the Commission, is to, within 30 days after public notice of the application is given under section 23(3), refer the application and any representations made under section 23A to the Commission for a hearing.

As soon as practicable after referring an application to the Commission under subsection (2)(b), the Commissioner is to provide the applicant with written notice of that referral.

The Commissioner is not required to take any action in respect of an application for a liquor licence if – the prescribed application fee has not been paid; or any further particulars required by the Commissioner in accordance with section 23(2) have not been supplied.

If the Commissioner is not satisfied that the applicant is qualified to hold the liquor licence applied for the Commissioner shall– notify the applicant accordingly; and inform the applicant of the applicant's right to appeal to the Commission against the Commissioner's decision.