RSA - Drunks a threat to bar staff

Nightclub bar staff say they are caught between a rock and a hard place when serving alcohol to drunk clubbers.

Despite training in Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA), most bar staff disregard intoxication levels of customers because if they cut off their drinking they stood to lose their hours from 'profit hungry' club owners or face physical violence from the drinkers said Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union assistant secretary Michael De Bremmi.

Fair Trading Minister Peter Lawlor said that the Government was reviewing the recommendations of the alcohol-related violence inquiry but did not think more liquor licensing officials needed to be on the beat.

The union is calling for actively monitored CCTV footage in Surfers Paradise clubs, more liquor licensing officers to enforce responsible service of alcohol and more backing from club owners for their staff to refuse service to drunk patrons.

Read more: Gold Coast Bulletin, Monday 10th May 2010.