Department of Racing Gaming and Liquor

WA Labor’s road to reform got off to a good start at last week’s annual conference, but the momentum must be maintained.

A local e-commerce entrepreneur has been forced to deal with South Australian authorities after falling foul of the bureaucratic process in his home state.

Obtaining a small bar liquor licence has become increasingly complicated and prompted some players to abandon plans to open new venues.

A proposed venue is offering punters the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a F1 racing simulator, while another aims to give patrons the chance to electronically emulate world darts champion Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, as Perth’s small bar scene gets increasingly diverse.

Ninety-three per cent of the 260 liquor licence applications made in Western Australia since July 2007 have been approved, despite widespread industry condemnation over the amount of consideration given to objections from WA Police and the Department of Health.

The state government is seeking to extend the weekend, with new legislation to allow Western Australian pubs, taverns and small bars to trade until midnight on Sundays introduced in parliament today.

Western Australian distillers took home the majority of awards handed out at the 2016 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards last night, with Albany’s Limeburners crowned as distiller of the year.

Fans won’t have to walk far for refreshments before and after events at the new Perth Stadium, with a 2,500-person capacity tavern and microbrewery to be built adjacent to the Swan River pedestrian bridge on the Burswood Peninsula.